Cornelius Coffin Williams, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on August 21, 1879, is most known as Tennessee Williams’ father. Cornelius, a traveling shoe salesman, struggled with alcoholism and a dysfunctional family, which affected his son’s work. This page explores Cornelius’s life and family heritage.
Family Background
Cornelius Coffin Williams was from a notable East Tennessee family. His ancestors faced social and entrepreneurial hurdles. His family background is summarized here.
| Family Member | Relationship | Birth Year | Death Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Lanier Williams II | Father | 1851 | 1926 |
| Isabella Coffin Williams | Mother | 1854 | 1939 |
| Edwina Estelle Dakin | Spouse | 1884 | 1980 |
| Rose Isabelle Williams | Daughter | 1908 | 1996 |
| Thomas Lanier “Tennessee” Williams | Son | 1911 | 1983 |
| Walter Dakin Williams | Son | 1919 | 2008 |
Early Life and Career
Cornelius’s pioneer childhood in East Tennessee shaped him. His shoe sales business required extensive travel, keeping him away from home. Personal troubles affected his career, straining family relations.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Occupation | Traveling Shoe Salesman |
| Alcoholism | Struggled with addiction |
| Family Relationships | Often strained due to absence |
Marriage and Family Life
Cornelius married minister’s daughter Edwina Estelle Dakin in 1907. Tennessee Williams was one of their three children. Cornelius’s frequent absences and alcoholism affected his household.
| Marriage Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Edwina Estelle Dakin |
| Marriage Date | June 3, 1907 |
| Children | Rose, Tennessee, Walter |
| Parenting Challenges | Alcoholism, absenteeism |
Influence on Tennessee Williams
Cornelius Coffin Williams’s turbulent life shaped his son, Thomas Lanier Williams, who wrote as Tennessee Williams. Tennessee tackled struggle, identity, and family relationships in his plays, drawing from familial emotional and psychological issues.
| Influence | Description |
|---|---|
| Literary Themes | Struggle, Identity, Absence |
| Autobiographical Elements | Often mirrored family life |
| Impact on Works | Inspired key characters |
Legacy and Recognition
Tennessee Williams, Cornelius Coffin Williams’s son, made a lasting imprint on American theater. Tennessee’s artistic vision and narrative style were shaped by Cornelius’s difficult life.
| Legacy | Significance |
|---|---|
| Father of Tennessee Williams | Influenced American Theater |
| Family’s Influence | Central to Tennessee’s works |
| Cultural Impact | Exploration of familial themes |
FAQ
Cornelius Coffin Williams worked in what?
Cornelius Coffin Williams was a traveling shoe salesman who rarely returned home.
Cornelius’s life influenced Tennessee Williams’ writing.
Tennessee Williams’s plays explored familiar themes inspired by Cornelius’s family troubles, including drunkenness and absence.
Children of Cornelius Coffin Williams?
Rose Isabelle, Thomas Lanier “Tennessee” and Walter Dakin Williams were Cornelius’s children.
How did Cornelius interact with his family?
Cornelius’s alcoholism and frequent absences disrupted his family bond, which affected his children’s life.
