Lola Alexander Niven was born in Marvin (Union County), North Carolina, on August 28, 1883. Niven was a horticulturalist who served as editor of the Southern Farming newspaper in Atlanta, Georgia, from 1913 to 1917. He was often a contributor of articles to various agriculture themed newspaper publications, providing his expertise on various horticultural topics. From his home in Memphis, Tennessee, he served as associate editor of the Progressive Farmer. Niven died in Memphis on January 14, 1971.