William Dean Howells

Bio

(1837-1920) Novelist, critic, editor, writer. William Dean Howells was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio. After traveling in Europe as consul by Lincoln’s appointment, he worked for various periodicals; he was associated with the “Atlantic Monthly” for 15 years and later wrote the “Editor’s Study” (1886-91) and the “Easy Chair” (1900-20) of “Harper’s Magazine.” An important figure in realist literature, he wrote “A Modern Instance” (1882) and “The Rise of Silas Lapham” (1885). Howells’ critical essays on the works of such realistic European writers as Tolstoy, Zola, and Ibsen helped to mold American taste, and he was a literary mentor of Mark Twain, Hamlin Garland, Thorstein Veblen, and Stephen Crane. He himself became more and more concerned with social conflict and the problem of industrialization. Other works of his include his novels “A Hazard of New Fortunes” (1890), “The Quality of Mercy” (1892), and “An Imperative Duty” (1893); plays ranging from blank verse tragedy to farce; critical works; several volumes of reminiscence; and short stories. Howells lived at 1 Washington Square, Greenwich Village, New York, New York and also at 48 West 9th Street. Other homes were at 44 West 47th Street, West 59th Street, 10 West 30th Street, and 130 West 57th Street.