The Ghost of William Faulkner
Faulkner House Books is located on Pirate’s Alley, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The building that houses this establishment was originally built in 1840, and it contains countless works of classic authors over the last two centuries, including that of William Faulkner. Newer books have been brought to the collection as well, such as the Joshua Clark collection of French Quarter Fiction. Since this store is named after Faulkner, it is telling that Faulkner once spent time in this building. Faulkner was born in 1897 in Oxford, Mississippi. He later moved to New Orleans after World War I, where he lived here.
He only had a formal education up to the 10th grade, but he was determined to make a living for himself as a writer. During the day, he would work for people around the neighborhood, and then at night he would go home and work on his first works of poetry. The first book of poems he published was called The Marble Faun, and his first novel was titled Soldiers’ Pay. Both of these works were published in 1924. As he worked, it is said the Faulkner puffed on his smoking pipe, watching the smoke going upward into the air, gaining inspiration from it.
Faulkner only lived in New Orleans for a few years, but the spirit of the Crescent City forever remained with him. He later died in 1962, but some believe that his spirit has come back to visit his old house in the French Quarter. Visitors to the book store have reported smelling the smoke from his pipe on the first floor. The odor is most often smelt at the rear of the room and a small hallway to the right of the entrance to the store. Even though the store is believed to be built in 1840, a recent discovery may prove that is even older. A brick floor was found in a herringbone pattern that was an essential component to 18th century structures. Therefore, the ghost of William Faulkner may also have some other company with him.
(Source: Dwyer, Jeff. Ghost Hunter’s Guide to New Orleans. 2007.)
