Skip to main content
Birmingham Public Library Logo
  • Home
    • About the Library
      Our library is a place to discover, learn, and connect.
    • Hours & Locations
      Plan a visit - there's always a welcoming space near you.
    • Calendar
      Join us for programs, classes, and special events.
    • News
      Stay updated with the latest news and events.
    • Support the Library
      Your support truly makes all the difference for our library.
    • Rules & Policies
      Help keep our spaces welcoming and safe for everyone.

    Our Mission

    The mission of the Birmingham Public Library is to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment.

    Learn More About Our Mission

    • Ask-A-Librarian
      Have a question? Our librarians are here to help you find answers.
    • Borrowing
      Borrow books, movies, and more. Explore everything our library has to offer.
    • Meeting Rooms
      Reserve a meeting room for your next group, class, or community event.
    • Technology
      Access computers, Wi-Fi, printing, and digital tools at our library.
    • Passports
      Apply for your U.S. passport at our library; it's convenient and easy.
    • Outreach
      Our outreach brings library services and programs directly to you.

    Library Services

    Discover all the ways our library can help you thrive. From books and digital resources to technology, meeting spaces, and engaging programs for all ages, we're here to support your learning, creativity, and community connections every step of the way.

    Learn More About Library Services

  • Catalog
  • Databases
  • Get A Library Card
    • Archives
      Explore our archives for rare documents, photos, and local history treasures.
    • Ask A Librarian
      Have a question? Our librarians are here to help you find answers.
    • Best Sellers Club
      Join our Best Sellers Club and never miss the latest popular books.
    • Bookstore
      Shop our bookstore for great deals on gently used books and more.
    • BPL Mobile
      Visit our BPL Mobile for library services and events on the go.
    • Calendar
      Join us for programs, classes, and special events.
    • Databases
      Explore our extensive databases for research and learning.
    • Digital Library
      Access a ton of digital resources, like eBooks, audiobooks, and more.
    • Genealogy
      Explore your family history with our genealogy resources.
    • Homework Help
      Get assistance with homework and study resources.
    • Jobs
      Explore job opportunities and career resources.
    • Local Authors
      Interested in becoming a local author? Learn how to share your work.
    • My Account
      Manage your library account, including renewals and holds.
    • Programs
      Join us for programs, classes, and special events.
    • Resources
      Explore our extensive databases for research and learning.
    • Volunteer
      Support your community by volunteering at the library.
  • Contact
Birmingham Public Library - Virtual Library - Subject Resources - Alabama Inventors
Recently Added Resources
Alabama Inventors
 
Search Subject Resources
Subject Resource Pages
  • Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    • Architecture & Interior Design
    • Art & Design
    • Crafts & Hobbies
    • Sports & Recreation
  • Business, Government & Law
    • Elections and Voting
    • Grants and Fundraising
    • Job Searching, Resume Writing, and Career Development
    • Legal Self Help
    • Nonprofit Organizations
    • Personal Finance
    • Small Business Resource Guide
  • Community, News & Special Interest
    • Birmingham Communities
    • Birmingham Travel & Attractions
    • Data & Demographics
    • Homelessness
    • Library Neighborhoods
    • Local Health Organizations
    • Local Hospitals
  • Family, Relationships & Society
    • Bullying
    • Disabilities
    • Internet Safety
    • Parenting
  • Health & Wellness
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Breast Cancer
    • Cancer
    • Diabetes
    • Drug Addiction
    • Heart Disease
    • Medicare
    • Mental Health
    • Nutrition
    • Opioids Crisis, Electronic Links
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • History, Geography & Genealogy
    • 1940 Federal Census
    • 9/11
    • Alabama Inventors
    • American Civil War
    • Early Virginia Sources
    • Genealogy
    • Genealogy for Kids
    • Hispanic Heritage
    • Irish Ancestry/Genealogy
    • Jewish Heritage
    • Selected Resources for Alabama Counties
    • United States History
    • Using Gov Docs in Genealogy
  • Home & Garden
    • Calculators for Weekend Projects
    • Food & Drink
    • Moving and Relocation
  • Literacy, Education & Outreach
    • Financial Aid for Students
    • GED Test Preparation
  • Literature, Language & Philosophy
    • Fiction
    • Language
    • Literature Analytics
    • Mythology
    • Philosophy
    • Poetry
    • World Religions
    • Writing, Writers' Groups, & Workshops
  • Science & Technology
    • Astronomy
    • Blogs & Blogging
    • Botany
    • Chemistry
    • Climate Change
    • Computers
    • Earth Sciences
    • Human Anatomy
    • Mathematics
    • Patents and Trademarks
    • Physics
    • Science
    • Zoology
General Database Links
  • Databases by Name
  • Electronic Journals
Subjects last updated on Jul. 21, 2023.
Alabama Inventors RSS
Guide Sections
  • Summary
  • Bibliography A - C
  • Bibliography D - F
  • Bibliography G - I
  • Bibliography J - L
  • Bibliography M - O
  • Bibliography P - R
  • Bibliography S - U
  • Bibliography V - Z
Guide Information
Last Updated
Mar. 13, 2008
Comments
Bibliography S - U
Sadler, Benjamin Harrison
  • b. 2 September 1889 - Pennsylvania; d. 19 October 1963 - Jefferson Co., AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "Benjamin Sadler" (obituary) Birmingham News 21 Oct 1963: 26.
Salmon, Herbert Spencer
  • b. 22 Sep 1887 - IN ; d. 14 Oct 1941 - Jefferson Co., AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "Engineers Club Elects Officers: H. S. Salmon is Chosen President" Age Herald 13 Jan 1931: 14.
  • "Herbert Salmon will Head Coal Producers Body" Birmingham News 22 Nov 1935: 2.
  • "Mining Engineer Passes at Home: Death Ends Long Career of Herbert Salmon, Pioneer Resident" Birmingham Age-Herald 15 Oct 1941: 11.
  • "Rites Arranged for H. S. Salmon: Services Will be Held at South Highlands Church" Birmingham Age-Herald: 16 Oct 1941: 7.
Sample, James Douglas
  • b. 28 Sep 1885 - Charlotte, NC; d. 8 Dec 1944 - Jefferson Co., AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "James D. Sample Dies After Long Illness" Birmingham News 8 Dec 1944: 8.
Schuler, Robert Eustace
  • b. 8 May 1898 - Chicago, IL; d. Oct 1966 - Jefferson Co., AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "Civic, Industrial Leader Schuler Dies" Birmingham News 10 Oct 1966: 29.
  • "Electrical Pioneer R. E. Schuler Dies" Birmingham Post-Herald 10 Oct 1966: 19.
  • "R. E. Schuler" (obituary) Birmingham News 11 Oct 1966: 21.
Schwend, Charles
  • b. July 1862 - AL; d. 3 Feb 1949; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "Charles Schwend Rites are Held" Age-Herald 5 Feb 1949: 2.
Scruggs, Josiah Hubert
  • b. 27 Dec 1874 - Decatur, AL; d. 24 Feb 1952 - Birmingham, AL; buried Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "Pioneer Building Contractor, Josiah Hubert Scruggs, Dies" Birmingham News 25 Feb 1952: 4.
Sizemore, Clarence Brown
  • b. 31 March 1886 - d. 5 February 1918; d. 12 May 1993 - Jefferson Co., AL
  • "Clarence Brown Sizemore" (obituary) Birmingham News 13 May 1993: 10.
Sleeman, William C.
  • b. 7 February 1891 - PA; d. 15 January 1965 - Jefferson Co., AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "Industrial Figure, W. C. Sleeman, Dies" Birmingham News 17 Jan 1965: A-35.
  • "Mr. William C. Sleeman" (obituary) Birmingham News 18 Jan 1965; 23.
Smith, Algernon L.
  • b. 9 Jan 1868 - Prattville, AL; d. 27 Oct 1964 - Mountain Brook, AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "A. L. Smith Dies in Mountain Brook" Birmingham News 27 Oct 1964: 23.
Smith, Hewitt
  • b. 14 October 1897 - AL; d. 23 June 1976 - Birmingham, AL; buried: Oak Hill Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "Hewitt Smith Dies; Retired Industrialist" Birmingham News 24 June 1976: 6.
Sommers, Paul Higgins
  • b. ; d. 20 June 1988 - Montgomery Co., AL; Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery (Montgomery Co., AL)
  • "Paul Higgins Sommers" (obituary) Montgomery Advertiser 22 June 1988: 3B.
Speed, J. O.
  • "City Man is Appointed Safety Counselor in BECO Moye" Birmingham Age-Herald 7 Dec 1945: 19.
  • "J. O. Speed Named New Beco Official" Birmingham News 7 Dec 1945: 3.
Sponsler, John McClure
  • b. d. 7 December 1963 - Jefferson Co., AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "John Sponsler" (obituary) Birmingham News 8 Dec 1963: A-29.
Stewart, Charlie G.
  • b. 03 Dec 1902 - AL; d. 8 Oct 1996 - Birmingham, AL; bur.: Oakland Cemetery
  • "Veteran has Several Inventions 'In the Bag' Made in Spare Time" Birmingham Post-Herald 21 Jan 1948: 20.
  • "Charlie Green Stewart" (obituary) Birmingham News 9 Oct 1996: 7C.
Steward, Truman Cox
  • b. 21 August 1903 - Birmingham, AL; d. 21 August 1975 - AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "Truman Cox Steward" (obituary) Birmingham News 12 Aug 1975: 36.
Stockham, Herbert Clark
  • b. 24 March 1888 - Chicago, IL; d. 24 Jan 1958 - Birmingham, AL
  • "Funeral Services are Held for Herbert C. Stockham" Birmingham Post- Herald 27 Jan 1958: 8
Strong, James Edward
  • b. 30 Apr 1864 - Plymouth, England ; d. 9 Jan 1929 - Birmingham, AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "James Edward Strong, Industrial Leader, Dies" Birmingham Age-Herald 10 Jan 1929: 2.
Swann, Theodore
  • b. 5 September 1886 - Dandridge, TN; d. 5 February 1955 - Birmingham, AL; buried: Elmwood Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • Beaird, Ann. "On Haunted Ground: The Curse of the Swann House" Alabama Heritage Summer 2007: 24-25.
  • Beaird, Ann. "Restoring Chaucer Hall: Birmingham's Swann-Coleman House" Alabama Heritage Summer 2007: 16-23.
  • Beiman, Irving. "Swann Develops Gas Fired Furnace to Melt Iron Ores" Birmingham News 25 Oct 1952: 9.
  • "Funeral Services for Theodore Swann, Industrialist, Will Be Held Here Sunday" (obituary) Birmingham News 6 Feb 1955: B-2.
  • Griffith, Edward and Carolyn Green Satterfield. The Triumphs and Troubles of Theodore Swan. Montgomery, Ala.: Black Belt Press, 1999.
  • Stanley, C. M. "Theodore Swann: His Genius in Chemistry" Montgomery Advertiser 23 Feb 1955: 3-B.
Tate, Thomas J.
  • b. 23 July 1900 - Hatchet Creek, Clay Co., AL; d. 15 October 1987 - Goodwater, AL
  • "Talladegan May End Hotel Fires" Birmingham News 10 June 1948, p. 14.
  • "Alabama Man Invents Phone Fire Alarm" Birmingham News 18 July 1952: p. 8.
Temple, Robert Allyn
  • b. 10 July 1901 - Chicago, IL; d. 28 March 1962 - Jefferson Co., AL; buried: Chicago, IL
  • "Robert Temple" (obituary) Birmingham News 29 March 1962: 6.
Thomas, Duke Demetres
  • b. 18 July 1896 - AL; d. 4 September 1974 - AL; buried: Jefferson Memorial Gardens East (Jefferson Co., AL)
  • "Duke Demetres Thomas" (obituary) Birmingham News 5 Sep 1974: 48.
Thompson, Herbert Leroy
  • Beiman, Irving. "Local Engineer Patents Idea to Convert Sea Water" Birmingham News 3 Sep 1959: 67
Tschudy, Frederick
  • b. 29 May 1870 - Wintertour, Switzerland; d. 5 July 1938 - Birmingham, AL.
  • Ennis, Clyde W. "Rites to be Set for F. Tschudy: Noted Engineer, Former Count in Switzerland, Dies" Birmingham Age-Herald 7 July 1938: 2.
Turnham, Fitzhugh Hobson
  • b. 16 May 1898; d. 5 August 1975 - Jefferson Co., AL; buried: Forest Hill Cemetery (Birmingham, AL)
  • "F. Hobson Turnham" (obituary) Birmingham News 6 Aug 1975: 36.
Page Last Modified: 3/2/2026 11:12 AM

Birmingham Public Library

2100 Park Place
Birmingham, AL 35203

Phone: 205-226-3600

About BPL

  • Hours & Locations
  • Jobs
  • Contact

Books & Materials

  • Catalog
  • Archives
  • Genealogy

Services

  • Ask-A-Librarian
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Outreach

Programs

  • Calendar
  • News
  • Book a Program

Digital Library

  • Databases
  • Subject Resources
  • Digital Collections

Copyright © 2026 Birmingham Public Library. All rights reserved.