Donald Corley

James Donald Corley (1886–1955) was an American author of short stories, illustrator and architect. He is chiefly remembered for his three self-illustrated books, which included a number of classic fantasy short stories.

Life and career Corley was born June 28, 1886, in Covington, Newton County, Georgia, the son of John J. and Annie (Bradshaw) Corley. His mother was the daughter of James Bradshaw, Presbyterian minister and President of the college for girls In Covington. As an adult, he was tall, of slender build, with brown eyes and black hair.

In 1910 he was a lodger at 308 West 15th Street, New York City, and gave his occupation as architect. He married Harriet Evelyn Works (who later wrote as Harriet Works Corley) on July 23, 1916, three days after meeting her; the marriage dissolved within a year, although the couple apparently had a daughter. He was employed for a time by the New York firm of McKim, Meade & White, "playing a part in the work of decoration of the General Post Office." possibly on the strength of designing camouflage for New York harbor during the conflict.

Corley contributed as a writer to a number of magazines from the late 1910s through the early 1930s, including Scribner's Magazine, the Pictorial Review, Harper's Magazine, and The Forum. By 1922, at which point he had already published several stories, he had "given up his architectural work in order to devote his time to writing and drawing." and gave his occupation as writer and in 1955 at 264 Avenue of the Americas in New York. He died on Sunday, December 11, 1955, at the age of 69 at St. Vincent's Hospital, New York. He was survived by his daughter Sheila and brother John Neill Corley.

Mike Ashley in The Encyclopedia of Fantasy called Corley's stories "exotic fantasy ... affect[ing] a flamboyant style, especially those with Arabian or oriental settings. His tales are much influenced by Lord Dunsany and James Branch Cabell. DC's stories are often self-indulgent, but have a captivating flair."