David Nolan (author)
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The author David Nolan was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1946, son of journalist Joseph T. Nolan and his artist wife, Virginia. He studied at the University of Virginia and worked as a field secretary for the Virginia Students Civil Rights Committee. He was editor of "New South Student" magazine from 1966-69. Since 1977 he has made his home in St. Augustine, Florida, famed as the nation's oldest city. He worked on the first official survey of old buildings in the city from 1978-80.
His first book, Fifty Feet in Paradise: The Booming of Florida was published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich in 1984, and won the annual author's award from the Council for Florida Libraries. It tells the story of Florida's development and the colorful characters who figured in it from Andrew Jackson to Mickey Mouse. He was a contributor to The Book Lover's Guide to Florida published by Pineapple Press in 1992. His third book, The Houses of St. Augustine was done in collaboration with photographer Ken Barrett, Jr. and artist Jean Ellen Fitzpatrick. It was published by Pineapple Press in 1995. Nolan has been active in efforts to save St. Augustine landmarks like the Bridge of Lions and the Lightkeeper's House from destruction. He has been active in promoting the rich Black heritage of St. Augustine, from colonial times to the civil rights era. He is a past president of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Society and a trustee and life member of the Fort Mose Historical Society. He is a well-known lecturer on historical, literary, and architectural subjects.