Legendary Locals of Middletown, Connecticut (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781467101202)

Although the town benefits from a position on a major navigable waterway, Middletown's success is primarily due to the energy, creativity, and diversity of its people. These include James Riley, whose autobiography detailing his trials as a white slave in Northern Africa showed millions of Americans the evils of slavery; Max Corvo, who helped the World War II Italian underground defeat the fascist regime; and Christie Ellen McLeod, longtime chief pathologist at Middlesex Memorial Hospital. Middletown can boast of athletes such as Helen "Babe" Carlson, a tremendously strong competitor who participated on men's baseball teams; Willie Pep, who, while going for the world featherweight title, had a record of 134 wins and only one loss; and Corny Thompson, who sparked the University of Connecticut basketball program's rise to national prominence. More notables include Allie Wrubel, a prolific songwriter and Academy Award winner for his song "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah;" Vivian McRae Wesley, a teacher, reading director, and leader of Middletown's African American community; and Francesco Lentini, who was born with three legs and appeared in every major circus and carnival.

Author: Robert Hubbard, Kathleen Hubbard, Middlesex County Historical Society
ISBN-10: 1467101206
ISBN-13: 9781467101202
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
Language: English
Published: 04/14/2014
Pages: 128
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.50w x 0.50d