American novelist, memoirist, short story writer, author of thirteen books, including five novels, collections of short stories and a memoir. Humphrey's first novel was Home from the Hill. His second novel, The Ordways, was reviewed by the New York Times as "Funny, vivid and moving, this is a fine piece of work and a delight to read," and was compared to the writings of William Faulkner and Mark Twain. His books received high praise when they were first published, even from fellow writers.