Cola Barr Craig

Cola Barr Craig (, Barr; pen name, Benjamin H. Craig; March 17, 1861 – January 20, 1930) was an author of the American South who wrote short stories and a novel. Also a clubwoman, she served as president of several organizations including the United Daughters of the Confederacy (U.D.C.), the Memorial Association of Selma, Alabama, and United Charities of Selma.

Early life and education Cola Amanda Barr was born March 17, 1861, at Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi.

Lineage She was the daughter of Col. James and Frances (Donnell) Barr, the former a native of New York state, who early in life moved with his parents to Jackson, Mississippi, and during the American Civil War, served in Confederate States Army, as colonel of the 10th Mississippi Infantry Regiment and was killed at Kennesaw Mountain.

She was the granddaughter of James and Margaret (Smith) Barr, of Patchogue, New York, and of William H. and Susan (Benthal) Donnell, natives of Wilson County, Tennessee, who resided at Jackson, Mississippi, for many years.

Craig was a descendent of Capt. John Donnell, of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, known as the fighting parson during colonial times, and of John Benthal, a private in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

During World War I, Craig was the county chair for the State Council of Defense and chaired the Dallas County committee on food conservation and production. She played a key role in the establishment of the first hospital in Selma, which was owned by United Charities. Craig was a member of the Ossian Club, a literary organization, and served as secretary-treasurer of the "Scribblers," the first organized writers' club in Alabama.

Selected works Was She: A Novel (1906)