Question

Maya Angelou was a mother and grandmother. Maya Angelou was one of the nation's preeminent literary figures.

What is the best way to combine the information in the two sentences?
A.
Maya Angelou, one of the nation's preeminent literary figures, was a mother and a grandmother.
B.
Maya Angelou was a mother and grandmother of one of the nation's preeminent literary figures.
C.
Maya Angelou was a mother, grandmother, was one of the nation's preeminent literary figures.
D.
Maya Angelou was one of the nation's preeminent mothers and grandmothers.

Answer 1

A. Maya Angelou, one of the nation's preeminent literary figures, was a mother and a grandmother.

This version correctly preserves both facts, is grammatical, and keeps the emphasis on her status as a literary figure.