Peter Hedges

Hedges in 2012, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Peter Simpson Hedges

Place of Birth: West Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 6, 1962

Ethnicity: English, some German and Scottish, distant French and Welsh

Peter Hedges is an American novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and film director and producer. He has written the screenplay for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (based on his own novel), written and directed Pieces of April, Dan in Real Life, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, and Ben Is Back, and co-written A Map of the World and About a Boy, all well- or largely well-reviewed films.

Peter is the son of Carole/Carol Joan (Simpson) and The Rev. Robert Boyden Hedges, an Episcopalian minister. He is married to Susan Bruce (Titman), a poet and actress. They have two children, including actor Lucas Hedges, who played the lead in Ben Is Back.

Peter’s paternal grandfather was Walter Raleigh/Rollie Hedges (the son of Osage Orange Hedges and Louisa Jane/Jennie Palmer). Walter was born in Iowa. Osage was the son of Alfred Sylvester/Edward Hedges, who was born in Morden, Swindon, Wiltshire, England, and of Amelia Chloe Chadwick. Louisa was the daughter of Zacharias/Zachariah T. Palmer and Florence Amanda Bethea.

Peter’s paternal grandmother was Rachael/Rachel Boyden (the daughter of Samuel Frederick Boyden and Lola Leetta/Letta Lambert). Rachael was born in Iowa. Samuel was the son of John B. Boyden and Sarah Wesson. Lola was the daughter of Abner Henry Lambert and Mary Ann Anderson.

Peter’s maternal grandfather was Henry Ray Simpson (the son of John Clayton Simpson and Willie/Willa Howard Kimbel). Henry was born in Missouri. John was the son of Henry Hardin/Harding Simpson and Sarah Jane Cook. Willie was the daughter of Washington Thurman Kimbel and Sarah Amanda Brim.

Peter’s maternal grandmother was Lila/Leila Loie Krouse (the daughter of Charles/Charley Krouse and Maude/Maud Nellie Noble). Lila was born in Iowa. Charles was the son of Martin Krouse, who was born in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and of Caroline Margaret Feigh, who was born in New Jersey, to German parents. Maude was the daughter of George Sherman Noble and Ida Caroline Clark.

Sources: Peter’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Peter’s father – http://www.legacy.com

Genealogy of Peter’s paternal grandfather, Walter Raleigh/Rollie Hedges (focusing on his own father’s side) – https://www.wikitree.com

Genealogy of Peter’s paternal great-grandfather, Osage Orange Hedges (focusing on his own father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Peter’s paternal great-grandmother, Louisa Jane/Jennie (Palmer) Hedges – https://www.findagrave.com

Genealogy of Peter’s mother – http://www.findagrave.com

Peter’s mother on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Peter’s paternal great-grandparents, Charles/Charley Krouse and Maude/Maud Nellie Noble – https://www.familysearch.org