Olive Ann Burns
Olive Ann Burns was an American author and journalist, born on July 17, 1924, in Banks County, Georgia. Growing up in Commerce, Georgia, she was deeply influenced by her family’s stories and local history. After completing her education at Mercer College and the University of North Carolina, she spent a decade working as a journalist for The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. Following her marriage to fellow editor Andrew Sparks and the birth of their two children, she transitioned to freelance journalism. In 1975, after a health scare prompted by a blood test indicating a possible future illness, Burns embarked on writing her first novel. This endeavor culminated in the publication of "Cold Sassy Tree," a semi-autobiographical work set in early 20th-century Georgia, inspired by her own childhood experiences. The novel garnered critical acclaim and several accolades, establishing her as a respected figure in literature. Burns passed away on July 4, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia, leaving behind a legacy that reflects her Southern roots and personal struggles.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Olive Ann Burns
Writer
- Born: July 17, 1924
- Birthplace: Banks County, Georgia
- Died: July 4, 1990
- Place of death: Atlanta, Georgia
Biography
Olive Ann Burns was born in Banks County, Georgia, on July 17, 1924, the daughter of William Arnold Burns, a farmers’ cooperative executive, and his wife Ruby. She grew up in nearby Commerce, Georgia, where her family roots ran deep, and she often heard stories of the area from her family. She attended Mercer College in Macon, Georgia, and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1946. She worked as a journalist for The Atlanta Journal and Constitution for ten years, leaving the paper shortly after her marriage to editor Andrew Sparks. The couple had two children, and Burns continued working as a freelance journalist as her children grew.
It wasn’t until 1975, when a routine physical led to blood test results that indicated the probability that she would develop leukemia or lymphoma, that she decided to write a novel. She hoped that the challenge of writing fiction would help her deal with the anxiety and suspense resulting from the doctor’s prediction. Even after developing cancer, Burns continued to work on her novel.
It took her over eight years to finish Cold Sassy Tree, which is based on family stories of growing up in the early twentieth century in rural Georgia (Commerce served as the model book’s for the fictitious setting). The novel won many awards, including a New York Public Library Best Books for Teens citation and a School Library Journal and Booklist Recommended Selection for young adults. Olive Ann Burns died July 4, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia.