February 27, 1981

Francis Irby Gwaltney, an author and professor, died. He is buried in Crestlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Conway (Faulkner County). Gwaltney had operated a bookstore in Conway after having taught in several Arkansas schools and colleges, as well as, for a brief time, at Louisiana Tech. He published eight novels, the best known of which is The Day the Century Ended. During his service with the army in the Asiatic Pacific Theater in World War II, Gwaltney formed an enduring friendship with author Norman Mailer.