Freeport Authors: J

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

An adjunct professor of history at Hofstra University, George D. Jackson received his B.A. from Harvard University (1951), M.A. (1953) and Ph.D. (1961) from Columbia University.  His Dictionary of the Russian Revolution received Choice’s Outstanding Academic book of 1989.  He is a paraplegic as a result of a swimming accident at Jones Beach.

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

A resident of Freeport, SallyMae Jackson is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Wendy Walker Jackson is the author of The Virus That Changed the World.  She donated her book to the library in March 2022.

[Biography by author]

Wendy Walker Jackson is a prolific poet, enthusiastic storyteller, inspiring mentor, and creative educator in the Freeport School District.  Born and raised in Guyana, she developed a passion for music, reading, board games and culinary arts. Many of her works are influenced by the social intricacies of our communities, and the need for empowerment of the underserved. 

Her passion for advocacy is evident as Chairperson of the Advisory Board of Roosevelt-Freeport Economic Opportunity Commission. She also serves as an adjunct board member of the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County and Building Captain of the Black Educators Committee, Inc.

Wendy lives with her talented family in Freeport, New York. She believes that living your best life requires sacrifice, humility, kindness, perseverance, and prayer. She likes to do things differently and frequently encourages others to Just Keep Smilin'... :-)

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

A children’s novelist, Norma Wood James was born and lived in Brooklyn and was a graduate of Pace College.  She was a housewife, mother and freelance writer. Her work included two adolescent-level historical novels set in the Colonial period and one based on a girl’s coming of age which included material from her own childhood, much of which was spent at her family summer home in Purling.  While living in Freeport, she was a member of the Baldwin United Methodist Church.  She moved to Catskill, New York where she died.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

There is a notation in her book that she is a Freeport resident.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Tierre Jeanne-Porter earned a B.S. in political science from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University Law School.  In 1988, she was admitted to the New York Bar and subsequently to the United State District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts as well as the United States Supreme Court.  She is a lawyer with Porter & Associates in Uniondale.

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Cecil Haven Johnson was on the Brooklyn Eagle news staff for more than thirty years, including being editor on the city desk, until the paper ceased publication in the mid 50s.  Early in his career he worked for The New York Times and was a reporter for the Nassau Daily Review-Star. 

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Hilbert R. Johnson, a class of 1906 graduate of Freeport High School, grew up with his brother Albin, at 58 West Seaman Avenue.  In high school, he played baseball and was president of the debating society.  He graduated from NYU in 1909 with a LL. B. degree.  He and his brother ran a law office on Railroad Avenue and later at 170 North Main Street.  Subsequently, he was a village trustee (1921-1923), village president in 1923, and counsel for the village in 1927.  When his brother, who was police justice died in 1933, Hilbert was named to fill his post and held it until his death.  He was instrumental in organizing Hose Company 4 of the Fire Department.  He was a member of the Church of the Transfiguration, the Freeport Elks, Royal Arcanum, Woodmen of America and the Exchange Club.  He is considered an unofficial historian because of his booklet as well as numerous articles in the Nassau News and the Nassau Daily Review.  He was one of the founders of the original Freeport Historical Society, established in 1941 and spearheaded the drive to purchase the 1783 Daniel Raynor homestead for the museum.  It was destroyed by a hurricane and fire.

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See Also:

Johnson, Hilbert R. (Freeport History Encyclopedia)

Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

A graduate of Division Avenue High School, Levittown, in 1965, Marc Josloff went to Pratt Institute where he earned a B.A. degree in advertising design and visual communication in 1969.  His Master’s degree in art education and art therapy is also from Pratt (1975.)  He has continued his education and various colleges and with several mentors.  He is also an art teacher, photographer, graphic designer, advertising art director and illustrator, he is involved with the operation of the Freeport Concert Series and was honored by the Long Island Arts Council of Freeport in 2008 with an Arts and Education Award.

Biography by Cynthia J. Krieg, Village Historian

William Leonard Joyce graduated from Freeport High School in 1960.  In 1974 he received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Michigan.  By 1979, he was the Curator of manuscripts at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts.  In 1994 he was an associate librarian at Princeton University.

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Biography by Cynthia J Krieg, Village Historian

Herb Jurist is a 1953 graduate of Freeport High School.  His B.A. in political science is from Brandeis University and his M.A. in history from Adelphi University.  From 1958 to 1991 he taught in the New York City public schools.  He was an adjunct professor at Pace and a union organizer.  He has also written a number of columns about the Freeport waterfront for the Freeport Leader.

See Also:

Historical Document / Books (Local History Resources)