The History of Michael Grumley and the Violet Quill
Michael Grumley, born in Bettendorf, Iowa, in 1941, was a standout high school senior in 1959. He participated in numerous extracurricular activities, including the school newspaper, sports, and various honor societies. He later attended multiple universities, including the University of Iowa Writers Workshop, where he met his partner, Robert Ferro. The couple moved to New York City and became founding members of The Violet Quill, a group of seven gay writers who aimed to revolutionize gay literature by authentically representing their experiences. Despite the group's short existence, they significantly influenced the acceptance and publication of gay-themed literature.
Michael Grumley and Robert Ferro both died of AIDS in 1988 and are commemorated by the Ferro-Grumley Award, which honors outstanding LGBTQ-themed literature. To learn more about Ferro-Grumley Award books, Michael Grumley, and the Violet Quill, explore the resources below, available for free with your Bettendorf Public Library card.
Ferro-Grumley Award
The Ferro-Grumley Award is an annual literary prize for the year's best LGBTQ-themed novel or collection of short stories.
- Explore the Ferro-Grumley Award winners and finalists available for checkout with your Bettendorf Library card.
Reviews of Grumley's Work
Reviews of select Michael Grumley works are availble through EBSCOhost.
You can also view After Midnight by Michael Grumley through the Davenport Public Library Special Collections.
More on Michael Grumley
The following Michael Grumley geneology records are available through HeritageQuest Online:
The Beacon, the Bettendorf High School yearbook, is available for in-library use only. Photos of Michael Grumley can be found in:
- V. 5 1956
- V. 6 1957
- V. 7 1958
- V. 8 1959
The Violet Quill
Learn more about the Violet Quill, a group of seven gay writers in 1981 New York City, of which Michael Grumley was a founding member.