Al Stewart is the founder of the Appalachian region's most prestigious literary magazine, a poet, Appalachian scholar, and teacher. 

He was born at Yellow Mountain in Knott County. He attended the Hindman Settlement School and graduated from the Hindman High School, and Berea college prior to receiving his master's of arts from the University of Kentucky in 1943.  He served in active duty in the U. S.Naval Reserve in 1943-46.  Al Stewart taught briefly in high schools in  Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, and Arizona.  He then taught at Abraham Baldwin college in Georgia, part time for two years at the University of Kentucky, for eight years at Morehead state University, and Alice Lloyd College for 18 years.

Al Stewart published a number of poems in magazines, and one book of poetry in magazines, and one book of poetry,  "The Untoward Hills."  He founded and edited "Appalachian Heritage," magazine for 12 years and edited two volumes of Kentucky writing.  He has directed writing workshops at Morehead State University, Alice Lloyd college, and the   Hindman Settlement School for a total of 14 years.

In addition to his writing, Stewart is presently editing an anthology from Appalachian Heritage, and working with Wheelwright High School instructor Carol Stumbo and her students to assist them in publishing Mantrip, a magazine with a circulation of over 1,000, which is printed twice a year.  He enjoys farming and preserves seeds.

Corbett Mullins
May 21, 2003