John V.A. Weaver



John Van Alstyne Weaver, Jr. (July 17, 1893 - June 15, 1938) was an American poet, novelist and screenwriter.

Life
Weaver was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, the son of John Van Alstyne Weaver, Sr. and Anne Randolph (Tate) Weaver.

Weaver was educated at Hamilton College, graduating in 1914. His literary career began with employment at the Chicago Daily News in 1919 as a book editor, and continued with employment at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

He married American actress Peggy Wood in 1924; the couple had one son.

He ceased newspaper work around in 1924 to pursue a purely literary career. He moved to work for Paramount in 1928.

Weaver attracted notice, including the approbation of H.L. Mencken, for his adaptation of American vernacular to iambic pentameter rhythms.

His financial success came from successful adaptations of his work on stage and in films and, later, from screenwriting. His works were produced on stage and on film, and he had several screenwriting credits for work on properties where he was not the author of the original work.

He died 15 June 1938 of tuberculosis in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Publications
In American: The collected poems of John V.A. Weaver (edited by H.L. Mencken). (1939)
 * In American: Poems (1921.
 * Margey wins the game (1922)
 * Finders: More poems in American (1923)
 * "Love 'em and leave 'em": A comedy in three acts (1926) (with George Abbott); adapted from a verse novel by Weaver; also done as a silent picture and later as a talking picture under the title The Saturday Night Kid in 1929.
 * Her knight comes riding (1928)
 * To youth (1928)
 * Turning Point (1930)
 * More "In American" poems (1930)
 * Trial balance, a sentimental inventory (1932)
 * Joy-girl (1932)