The Redneck Riviera

Richard N. ("Dick") Côté, is the internationally-known author of three acclaimed biographies, two histories, and a contemporary novel. Côté's biographies include Mary's World: Love, War, and Family Ties in Nineteenth-century Charleston; Theodosia Burr Alston: Portrait of a Prodigy; and Strength and Honor: The Life of Dolley Madison. His novel, The Redneck Riviera, was first published in 2002 and now appears as an eBook. With a return to nonfiction, in 2006, he published City of Heroes: The Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886 and continued his tradition of chronicling Southern history. In the summer of 2011, Côté will publish In Search of Gentle Death, which explores the right to die with dignity at the time and place of one's own choosing.

Dick majored in political science and journalism at Butler University in Indianapolis. A Vietnam War veteran, he spent six years in the U.S. Air Force, and in the fall of 1979 he joined the staff of the South Carolina Historical Society, where he worked for several years before turning to writing full-time. Since the mid-1980s he has conducted extensive research into Southern biography, social history, microcultures, architecture, and the international death-with-dignity movement. His not-so-secret passion is writing contemporary fiction, and has two more novels in progress.

Dick has been chosen as a Featured Author and a Master Class Instructor by numerous American book festivals. In 2004 he was awarded the Bobby Gilmer Moss Award in History by the Daughters of the American Revolution for his outstanding contributions to historical writing. He has appeared on C-Span 2/Book TV and was a featured expert in programs by Dateline NBC and The Weather Channel.

Dick delights in sharing his love of history, biography, and the creative process. He lives in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where he writes, lectures, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Corinthian Books.