In considering the period from the Civil war to the present, the most
remarkable thing is the great increase of production and the slight
accession to the rolls of genius. Such is especially the case with
fiction; there have been very many good novels and short stories
written, but there is no such commanding personality as Hawthorne.
The two chief figures of the seventies and eighties, at least, were
Henry James and William Dean Howells. With great differences, they are
yet both masters of the realistic school which was dominant in the
second half of the century, in Europe as well as in America. Their
superiority might remain unquestioned, were it not for the decline of
interest in the kind of novel in which they excelled. In the early
eighties a change in tone was perceptible.
The first noteworthy American representative of romantic or idealistic
fiction which then began to appear was Marion Crawford, who has retained
power and popularity for twenty-five years. He and a few other
innovators were followed by a number of writers who found and presented
the charm and romance of American history. These have now in their turn
passed away except Winston Churchill who would seem really to have more
enduring power than his companions. But the realistic movement was not
without its results, for it directed American novelists, and especially
story writers, into an appreciation of the specific qualities of
different parts of their country.
The first writer to have this especial flavor was, it is true, the
romanticist Bret Harte. His followers were more realistic: George
Washington Cable gave a charming presentation of Creole life in New
Orleans, and since the _Grandissimes_ (1880) there have been a great
number who have drawn pictures of the especial life of particular
localities. Most noteworthy of these are Miss Mary N. Murfree (“Charles
Egbert Craddock”), Miss Mary E. Wilkins (now Mrs. Freeman), James Lane
Allen, Thomas Nelson Page, and Hamlin Garland.
If we are to mention any other novelist of the present day whose work
seems likely to endure, it must be Mrs. Edith Wharton, who rather
continues the traditions of Henry James.
In poetry no one has for forty years appeared who has been considered
the equal of the earlier generation. Sidney Lanier and Edmund Clarence
Stedman will probably be considered the chief figures of the seventies,
while Richard Hovey (1864-1900) and James Whitcomb Riley are superior to
their later contemporaries.
There has been much history in recent years, and if there are no
historians of the rank of Motley and Parkman, the reason may lie in the
difference that has come into the methods of historical study. John
Fiske was a philosopher before he became a historian. Justin Winsor was
a master of authorities, and his labors as an editor rendered possible
one of the characteristic productions of the time, the _Narrative and
Critical History of America_, written by a number of special scholars.
Of other contemporary writers most noteworthy are probably Henry C. Lea,
whose works deal with different phrases of the history of civilization,
and Captain A. T. Mahan, whose studies of the influence of sea power on
history have attracted the attention of the world.
Coincidently, a new school of humor has risen in the writing of F. P.
Dunne, creator of the sagacious _Mr. Dooley_, and George Ade, author of
_Fables in Slang_. Earlier humorists, aside from “Mark Twain” and
Charles F. Browne (“Artemus Ward”), are Henry W. Shaw (“Josh Billings”)
(1818-1885), Joel Chandler Harris (1848-1908), the author of _Uncle
Remus’ Stories_, amusing dialect fantasies. In the summary of American
literature one can hardly omit the names of Sarah Margaret Fuller
(“Ossoli”), R. H. Dana, author of _Two Years Before the Mast_, and
Donald G. Mitchell, author of _Reveries of a Bachelor_ and _Dream Life_.
Recent and contemporary historians and essayists deserving of mention
are T. W. Higginson, C. E. Norton, and William James.
Another form of writing should be mentioned, though its results are
perhaps too ephemeral to be called literature. The newspaper is,
however, a very important part of everybody’s reading. It has been
learning, however, to appeal more and more to an enormously wide
audience, with the result that whatever literary character it may have
had is now hard to find. In the middle of the century certain great
editors had very definite literary standing, as Bryant of the New York
_Evening Post_, Henry J. Raymond (1820-1869) of the _Times_, Horace
Greeley (1811-1872) of the _Tribune_. Later figures must include Charles
A. Dana (1819-1897), who gave a very distinctive character to the _Sun_;
James Gordon Bennett (1841) of the _Herald_, and E. L. Godkin
(1831-1902) of the New York _Evening Post_, and Henry Watterson of the
Louisville _Courier-Journal_.
=SUMMARY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE=
NOTE.--Poetic and dramatic writings are indicated by _italics_.
==================+======================+============================
AUTHOR AND DATES | REPRESENTATIVE WORKS | LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS
------------------+----------------------+----------------------------
John Smith |True Relation of |A romantic recital of
Virginia--1580- |Virginia |thrilling adventures.
1631 | |
| |
William Bradford |History of Plymouth |A full and clearly written
Plymouth Col.-- |Plantation |account to 1649.
1588-1657 | |
| |
John Winthrop |History of New England|A simple, personal narra-
Massachusetts-- |--1630-1649 |tive, with occasional fresh-
1590-1649 | |ness of style.
| |
Anne Bradstreet |_Poems_; _The Tenth |An affected and cumbersome
Massachusetts-- |Muse_ |didactic poem.
1613-1672 | |
| |
Henry Norwood |A Voyage to Virginia |Surprisingly well written in
Virginia--1628- | |parts, and informative.
1670(?) | |
| |
William Penn |Brief Account of Penn-|Confidently religious and
Pennsylvania-- |sylvania |philanthropic in tone.
1644-1718 | |
| |
James Blair |Sermons, No Cross, No |Comparatively modern prose,
Virginia--1656- |Crown |written with pious zeal.
1742 | |
| |
Cotton Mather |Elegy of Rev. |Voluminous ecclesiastical
Massachusetts-- |Nathaniel Collins, |writings of “pedantic and
1663-1728 |Sermons, etc. |fantastic quaintness.”
| |
William Byrd |The Dividing Line, and|Full of fresh, humorous
Virginia--1674- |other tracts |observations on life.
1744 | |
| |
Robert Beverly |History of Virginia |A straightforward narrative
Virginia--1675- | |of slightly polemic purpose.
1716 | |
| |
JONATHAN EDWARDS |Sermons, Surprising |Strong and highly imagina-
Connecticut--1703-|Conversions, etc. |tive proclamations of
1758 | |Calvinism.
| |
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN |Poor Richard’s |Wise and sagacious utter-
Pennsylvania-- |Almanac, Autobiography|ances of a fair, avowed
1706-1790 | |utilitarian.
| |
THOMAS JEFFERSON |Notes on Virginia, |Full of wise foresight and
Virginia--1743- |Declaration of |keen acumen.
1826 |Independence |
| |
JOHN MARSHALL |Life of Washington, |Profound and wise, but
Virginia--1755- |Decisions, etc. |rather heavy.
1835 | |
| |
ALEXANDER HAMILTON|Contributions to the |Keen and ingenious, full of
New York--1757- |Federalist |information.
1804 | |
| |
Alexander Wilson |American Ornithology |Pioneer investigations of a
Scotland--1766- | |shrewd observer.
1813 | |
| |
Charles Brockden |Wieland, Ormond, etc. |Weird and sensational, of
Brown | |the Godwin type.
Pennsylvania-- | |
1771-1810 | |
| |
William Wirt |Life of Patrick Henry,|Interesting and informative,
Maryland--1772- |Letters of a British |but also imaginative.
1834 |Spy |
| |
Robert Treat Paine|Adams and Liberty; |Superficial, but of notice-
Massachusetts-- |_Poems_ |able metrical facility.
1773-1811 | |
| |
HENRY CLAY |Speeches, Letters |Attractive because of per-
Kentucky--1777- | |sonality and power.
1852 | |
| |
Washington Allston|Art Lectures; _Poems_ |Highly artistic in intent
South Carolina-- | |and achievement.
1779-1843 | |
| |
James Kirk |Novels |Romances of little present
Paulding | |interest.
New York--1779- | |
1860 | |
| |
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY |_Poems_, _Star |The chief poem is a national
Maryland--1780- |Spangled Banner_, |song of patriotic ardor.
1843 |_etc._ |
| |
WILLIAM E. |Addresses, Sermons, |Social papers, clear,
CHANNING |Essays |tolerant, thoughtful.
Massachusetts-- | |
1780-1842 | |
| |
JOHN JAMES AUDUBON|Birds of America, |Marked by keen observation
Louisiana--1780- |Quadrupeds of America |and wide interest.
1851 | |
| |
JOHN C. CALHOUN |Speeches, Papers, etc.|Forceful in logical thinking
South Carolina-- | |and clear exposition.
1782-1850 | |
| |
DANIEL WEBSTER |Orations |Elevated in thought and
New Hampshire-- | |eloquent.
1782-1852 | |
| |
Thomas Hart Benton|Thirty Years View |Rich and racy observations
North Carolina-- | |of wide experience.
1782-1858 | |
| |
WASHINGTON IRVING |Knickerbocker’s |Humorous, with delicate
New York--1783- |History of New York, |sentiment and grace.
1859 |Sketch Book, etc. |
| |
Richard Henry Dana|_Poems_, _The |Overambitious and not
Massachusetts-- |Buccaneer_, _etc._ |wholly successful.
1787-1879 | |
| |
JAMES FENIMORE |Leather Stocking |Romantic and overfortunate
COOPER New Jersey |Tales, The Spy, etc. |in coincidence, but
--1789-1851 | |readable.
| |
Jared Sparks |American Biographies |Commendable efforts of a
Connecticut--1789-| |pioneer biographer.
1866 | |
| |
Fitz Greene |_Poems_, _Marco |Frankly humorous and
Halleck |Bozzaris_, _etc._ |delightfully fresh.
Connecticut--1790-| |
1867 | |
| |
George Ticknor |History of Spanish |Scholarly and authentic.
1791-1871 |Literature |
| |
John Howard Payne |_Home Sweet Home_, |Universal in appeal and
New York--1792- |_Poems_ |satisfying in form.
1852 | |
| |
Samuel G. Goodrich|Peter Parley Books |Popular introductions with a
Connecticut--1793-| |flavor of fiction.
1860 | |
| |
WILLIAM CULLEN |Addresses, Letters; |Dignified and poised,
BRYANT |_Poems_, _Thanatopsis_|serious and helpful.
Massachusetts-- | |
1794-1878 | |
| |
Joseph Rodman |_The Culprit Fay_, |Cleverly executed, but
Drake |_Poems_ |ingeniously fanciful.
New York--1795- | |
1820 | |
| |
James G. Percival |_Poems_; _Prometheus_,|Unsustained, though not
Connecticut--1795-|_etc._ |without positive merits.
1856 | |
| |
John Pendleton |Swallow Barn, Horse |Old-fashioned but interest-
Kennedy |Shoe Robinson, etc. |ing pictures of southern
Maryland--1795- | |life.
1870 | |
| |
WILLIAM H. |Conquest of Peru, |Excellent history, very
PRESCOTT |Ferdinand and |interestingly told.
Massachusetts-- |Isabella, etc. |
1796-1859 | |
| |
Amos Bronson |Concord Days, Table |Suggestingly idealistic, but
Alcott |Talks; _Sonnets and |lacking in general interest.
Massachusetts-- |Canzonets_ |
1799-1888 | |
| |
George Bancroft |History of the United |Faithfully prepared and
Massachusetts-- |States |honestly presented.
1800-1891 | |
| |
Horace Bushnell |Nature and the Super- |Serious, didactic efforts
Connecticut--1802-|natural, Work and Play|with spiritual purpose.
1876 | |
| |
George D. Prentice|Essays; _Poems_ |Witty, sarcastic, daring and
Connecticut--1802-| |effective.
1870 | |
| |
RALPH WALDO |Conduct of Life, |The prophet of American
EMERSON |Representative Men, |culture. Coalesces oriental
Mass.--1803-1882 |Essays; _Poems_ |conceptions and occidental
| |individualism.
| |
Jacob Abbott |Rollo Books |Popular favorites of unso-
Maine--1803-1879 | |phisticated youth.
| |
NATHAN’L HAWTHORNE|Twice Told Tales, |Marked by a subtle mastery
Massachusetts-- |Scarlet Letter, Marble|and the touch of genius.
1804-1864 |Faun, etc. |
| |
Charles E. A. |History of Louisiana, |Entertaining and scholarly
Gayarré |Fernando de Lemos, |bilingual productions.
Louisiana--1805- |etc. |
1895 | |
| |
Nathaniel P. |_Poems_; Sketches, |Skillfully elaborated but
Willis |Editorials, etc. |diminishing in fame.
Maine--1806-1867 | |
| |
William Gilmore |_Poems_; Novels, |Versatile, original and
Simms |Biography, etc. |artistic.
South Carolina-- | |
1806-1870 | |
| |
HENRY W. |_Outre Mer_, |Popular in appeal and simple
LONGFELLOW |_Hyperion_, _Poems_, |in form.
Maine--1807-1882 |_Hiawatha_, _etc._ |
| |
JOHN G. WHITTIER |Editorials; _Household|With Burns’ love of nature
Massachusetts-- |Poems_ |and human nature.
1807-1892 | |
| |
EDGAR ALLAN POE |Tales; _Poems_, |Excellent in artistic
Maryland--1809- |_Raven_, _Annabel |“totality of effect.”
1849 |Lee_, _etc._ |
| |
Albert Pike |_Hymns to the Gods_, |Of recognized interest and
Massachusetts-- |_Poems_, _etc._ |merit.
1809-1891 | |
| |
OLIVER WENDELL |Autocrat of the Break-|Clever, witty, versatile,
HOLMES |fast Table, Novels; |and skillful.
Massachusetts-- |_Poems_ |
1809-1894 | |
| |
Margaret Fuller |Summer on the Lakes, |Notable in transcendental
Ossoli |Papers on Literature |aim and in merit of
Massachusetts-- |and Art |achievement.
1810-1850 | |
| |
Harriet Beecher |Uncle Tom’s Cabin, |Far-reaching in its influ-
Stowe |etc. |ence.
Connecticut--1811-| |
1896 | |
| |
JOHN LOTHROP |Dutch Republic, United|A rapid, easy style in pre-
MOTLEY |Netherlands |senting results of research.
Massachusetts-- | |
1814-1877 | |
| |
Rufus W. Griswold |_Christian Ballads_; |Valuable critical studies
Vermont--1815-1857|Poets and Poetry of |marred by partisanry.
|America, Famous Poets |
| |
John G. Saxe |_The Money King_, _New|Humorous and sprightly.
Vermont--1816-1887|Rape of the Lock_, |
|etc. |
| |
Samuel A. Allibone|Literature and |Laborious and valuable.
Pennsylvania-- |Authors, etc. |
1816-1889 | |
| |
HENRY D. THOREAU |Walden, Excursions |Redolent of nature love, and
Massachusetts-- | |cultured scholarship.
1817-1862 | |
| |
J. G. Holland |Timothy Titcomb’s |Enjoyed a large popularity.
Massachusetts-- |Letters, Katrina |
1819-1881 | |
| |
Edwin P. Whipple |Essays and Reviews, |Of very distinct cultural
Massachusetts-- |American Literature |value.
1819-1886 | |
| |
JAMES RUSSELL |Among My Books, My |Keen, sparkling, scholarly,
LOWELL |Study Windows, Biglow |and artistic.
Massachusetts-- |Papers, _Poems_, _Sir |
1819-1891 |Launfal_, _etc._ |
| |
WALT WHITMAN |_Poems_, _Leaves of |Unique in claim and form.
New York--1819- |Grass_, _My Captain_, |
1892 |_etc._ |
| |
Julia Ward Howe |Social and Philosoph- |Representative of the spirit
New York--1819- |ical Papers, _Battle |of the times.
1910 |Hymn of the Republic_ |
| |
Margaret J. |Beechen Brook, |Cultured and of human
Preston |Cartoons, _Colonial |interest.
Virginia--1820- |Ballads_ |
1897 | |
| |
Richard Grant |Words and Their Uses; |Scholarly and suggestive.
White |Everyday English |
New York--1821- | |
1885 | |
| |
Thomas Buchanan |_Poems_; _Drifting_; |Commendable, especially in
Read |_Sheridan’s Ride_, |form.
Pennsylvania-- |_etc._ |
1822-1872 | |
| |
Edward Everett |The Man Without a |Vigorous and pointed, but
Hale |Country, His Level |provincial.
Massachusetts-- |Best |
1822-1909 | |
| |
Donald G. Mitchell|Dream Life, Reveries |Attractive in meditation and
Connecticut--1822-|of a Bachelor |grace.
1909 | |
| |
FRANCIS PARKMAN |Oregon Trail, Montcalm|Romantic, picturesque and of
Massachusetts-- |and Wolfe, etc. |real interest.
1823-1893 | |
| |
George W. Curtis |Potiphar Papers, Prue |Widely popular and
New York--1824- |and I, etc. |effective.
1892 | |
| |
BAYARD TAYLOR |Northern Travel, |Too good at many things to
Pennsylvania-- |Greece and Russia; |be best at any.
1825-1878 |_Poems of the Orient_,|
|_Translation of Faust_|
| |
Stephen Collins |_Old Folks at Home_, |Popular in vein and melody.
Foster |_Old Uncle Ned_, |
Pennsylvania-- |_etc._ |
1826-1864 | |
| |
LEW WALLACE |The Fair God, Prince |Uneven, but at times highly
Indiana--1827-1905|of India, Ben Hur |successful.
| |
Chas. Dudley |My Summer in a Garden,|Catholic in interests and
Warner |Little Journeys, etc. |attainments.
Massachusetts-- | |
1829-1900 | |
| |
John Esten Cooke |Novels, Survey of |Prime favorites with
Virginia--1830- |Eagle’s Nest, etc., |romantic youth.
1886 |Lives of Lee and |
|Jackson |
| |
Paul Hamilton |_Sonnets_, _Legends_, |In sonnets excellent, in
Hayne |_Lyrics_ |other poems too prolific.
South Carolina-- | |
1831-1886 | |
| |
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT |Little Women, Little |Influential in their popular
Massachusetts-- |Men |appeal.
1832-1888 | |
| |
Edmund C. Stedman |Victorian Poets, Poets|Showing creative power and
Connecticut--1833-|of America, Alice of |critical ability.
1908 |Monmouth |
| |
Chas. Farrar |Artemus Ward, His |Humorous in exaggeration and
Browne (Artemus |Book, etc. |perversion.
Ward), Maine-- | |
1834-1867 | |
| |
Frank R. Stockton |Rudder Grange, The |Ingenious in plot, straight-
Pennsylvania-- |Lady or the Tiger |forward in style.
1834-1902 | |
| |
Moses Coit Tyler |History of American |Accurate and exhaustive.
Connecticut--1835-|Literature |
1900 | |
| |
SAMUEL L. CLEMENS |Innocents Abroad, |Thoroughly representative of
Missouri--1835- |Huckleberry Finn, etc.|American humor.
1910 | |
| |
Thomas Bailey |Novels, Marjorie Daw, |Cultivated and of literary
Aldrich |etc. |talent.
New Hampshire-- | |
1836-1907 | |
| |
WILLIAM DEAN |Venetian Life; Rise of|Realistic and entertainingly
HOWELLS |Silas Lapham, etc. |descriptive.
Ohio--1837- | |
| |
John Burroughs |Wake Robin, Winter |Strongly uttering the charms
New York--1837- |Sunshine |of nature.
| |
Mary Mapes Dodge |Hans Brinker |In high favor with children.
New York--1838- | |
1905 | |
| |
Albion W. Tourgee |A Fool’s Errand, |Valuable for the point of
Ohio--1838-1905 |Bricks Without Straw |view.
| |
Thomas R. |Life of Cooper, |Of recognized scholarship
Lounsbury |Studies in Chaucer, |and ability.
New York--1838- |etc. |
1915 | |
| |
Francis Bret Hart |Luck of Roaring Camp, |Of international fame.
New York--1839- |Gabriel Controy; |Faithful and skillfull
1902 |_Poems_ |character portrayal.
| |
Joaquin Miller |_The Danites in the |With the sweep and breadth
Indiana--1841- |Sierras_, _Surge of |of the prairies.
|the Sierras_ |
| |
SIDNEY LANIER |The Boy’s Froissart; |Artistic to a high degree.
Georgia--1842-1881|_Tiger-Lilies_, |
|_Poems_ |
| |
John Fiske |Myths and Mythmakers, |Scholarly and fairminded.
Connecticut--1842-|Histories |
1901 | |
| |
HENRY JAMES |Daisy Miller, Portrait|Of characteristic conception
New York--1843- |of a Lady, etc. |and style.
1916 | |
| |
George W. Cable |Old Creole Days, etc. |Successful in achievement of
Louisiana--1844- | |purpose.
| |
Elizabeth S. |Gates Ajar, etc. |Widely read for religious
Phelps Ward | |sentiment.
Massachusetts-- | |
1844- | |
| |
Arthur S. Hardy |Passe Rose, etc. |Of trained literary ability.
1847- | |
| |
James Lane Allen |Flute and Violin, The |Reaching a high standard of
Kentucky--1849- |Choir Invisible, etc. |excellence.
| |
Francis Marion |Novels, Travel, Des- |Best known for his
Crawford |criptive Sketches |Saracinesca series, the
New York--1854- | |scenes of which are laid in
1909 | |modern Rome.
| |
JAMES WHITCOMB |_Poems_, _Rhymes of |His combination of humor,
RILEY |Childhood_, _The Book |pathos, and sentiment
Indiana--1852-1916|of Joyous Children_, |appeals to high and low
|_etc._ |alike.
| |
Mary N. Murfree |Novels, In the Tennes-|Absorbing studies in
(Charles Egbert |see Mountains, etc. |southern life and character.
Craddock), Tenn.--| |
1850- | |
| |
Eugene Field |_Poems_, _Little Boy |Holds a special place in
Missouri--1850- |Blue_, _A Dutch Lulla-|American literature as the
1895 |by_, _Love Song of |poet of Christmas and
|Childhood_, _etc._ |childhood.
| |
Amelie Rives |Novels, Virginia of |Her later writings show more
Virginia--1863- |Virginia, The Quick or|charity of thought and rich-
|the Dead, etc. _Poems_|ness of expression than was
| |characteristic of her
| |earlier productions.
| |
Thomas Nelson Page|Novels, On Newfound |An interpreter of local life
Virginia--1853- |River, Marse Chan, |and color of unusual
|etc. |insight.
| |
Henry J. Van Dyke |Novels, The Other Wise|Keen in observation, health-
Pennsylvania-- |Man, etc.; _Poems_ |ful in tone, delightful in
1852- | |style.
| |
------------------+----------------------+----------------------------