Wilma Dykeman, circa 1965

Wilma Dykeman (1920–2006) was an American author, historian, and environmental advocate from Buncombe County, North Carolina, best known for her novels, essays, and nonfiction works that celebrated and examined Appalachian life and culture. A graduate of Northwestern University, she wrote The French Broad (1955), a landmark book in the “Rivers of America” series that combined history, ecology, and social commentary about the French Broad River and the surrounding region. Dykeman also wrote acclaimed novels such as The Tall Woman (1962) and The Far Family (1966), which portrayed the resilience of Appalachian women and families. A strong voice for environmental conservation and civil rights, she was an early advocate for linking clean industry to economic growth, later codified in the “Dykeman Law” for air and water pollution control in Tennessee. Through her writing and public service, Dykeman became one of Appalachia’s most respected literary and cultural figures, known for blending storytelling with social and ecological awareness. (Written with AI assistance)