Shot Heard Round the World the Story of Lexington

by Jeannette Covert Nolan

Book by Nolan, Jeannette

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

In the late 19th century, when women gave birth at home rather than in a hospital, Jeannette Covert Nolan's life began literally in jail. Her mother was married to future Evansville Mayor Charles G. Covert, who resided in the jailhouse while he served a term as Vanderburgh County sheriff.

After graduating from the Evansville School System, she worked as a reporter and features writer for an Evansville newspaper. She credits her experience as a reporter in helping her prepare for her work as a writer. Her first book, Barry Barton's Mystery, was published in 1932.

Ms. Nolan worked as a staff member at the Indiana University and the Rocky Mountain (University of Colorado) Writers Conferences. She was also an instructor on juvenile writing at Indiana University Extension, Indianapolis (currently Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis). During the early 1940's, she wrote a column, "Lines with a Hoosier Accent," for the Indianapolis Star.

Ms. Nolan wrote one book, John Marshall, the Great Chief Justice (1961) under the pseudonym Caroline Tucker, her grandmother's name. Many of her books have been selections of the Junior Literary Guild and she has been awarded The Indiana Authors' Day Award for the "most distinguished juvenile book by an Indiana author."

During her lifetime, Ms. Nolan wrote over forty-five children's books including biographies, essays, and historical non-fiction. Although she wrote for both children and adults, she is most noted for her work in children's literature. In 1961, she was awarded the Indiana Authors' Day Award for Spy for the Confederacy. In 1968, Ms. Nolan was added to the Indiana University Writers Conference Hall of Fame. The next year she was named a Litterarum Doctor, an honorary doctor of letters and literature. She died on October 12, 1974.

One of her novels was purchased by Paramount Pictures and turned into a film in 1948. Her many honors included being designated twice as Indiana Author of the Year. Vandyke Studio.