Ben Lucien Burman

Ben Lucien Burman (December 12, 1895 – November 12, 1984) was an American author and journalist born in Covington, Kentucky. He also fought in both World War I and World War II, and graduated from Harvard University. He was married to Alice Caddy who illustrated many of his children's books, including his most popular books, the Catfish Bend series, which became popular with both children and adults. The series, set in Catfish Bend, Mississippi, tells a tale of the many animal residents of Catfish Bend. It was published in eleven languages.

Burman died from a stroke at the age of 88.

Cancelled Disney Film
In the late 1970s, Disney greenlit an animated film adaptation of Burman's Catfish Bend stories with Ken Anderson heading the project. Despite making a large amount of progress and scheduling a 1981 release date, the film was eventually shelved.

Discography

 * Steamboat 'Round the Bend: Songs & Stories of the Mississippi, 1956, Folkways Records