Who was Phil Stone and how did he support William Faulkner’s early writing?

Phil Stone was a family friend of William Faulkner who practiced law in Oxford, Mississippi, and possessed a deep interest in literature.1

Stone played a pivotal role in Faulkner’s early development as a writer by acting as a mentor during his formative years. He guided Faulkner’s "undirected reading" and served as a consistent source of contemporary books and magazines, which helped broaden the young author's literary horizons.1

Beyond intellectual guidance, Stone provided critical material support for Faulkner’s career. In 1924, it was Stone’s financial assistance that enabled the publication of The Marble Faun, a pastoral verse-sequence that marked one of Faulkner's earliest published works.1