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Person Detail: William Dean Howells

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General Information:
Full Name: William Dean Howells
Biography:
(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.
Author's Timeline:
1872 Niagara County
The Wedding Journey
Howells was a visitor to Niagara Falls and wrote his autobiographical novel, "The Wedding Journey" (1872) about them. 
1837 (Unknown) County
William Dean Howells was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio in 1837. 
1920 (Unknown) County
William Dean Howells died in New York City in 1920. 
1882 (Unknown) County
A Modern Instance
Novel. 
1885 (Unknown) County
The Rise of Silas Lapham
Novel. 
1890 (Unknown) County
A Hazard Of New Fortunes
Novel. 
1892 (Unknown) County
The Quality Of Mercy
Novel. 
1893 (Unknown) County
An Imperative Duty
Novel. 
1874 (Unknown) County
Samson
Play. 
1877 (Unknown) County
A Counterfeit Presentment
Play. 
1878 (Unknown) County
Yorick's Love
Play. 
1916 (Unknown) County
The Leatherwood God
Novel. 
? Bronx County
A close friend of Mark Twain, Howells often visited his friend's home in the Bronx, New York. 
? New York County
Howells lived at 1 Washington Square, Greenwich Village, and also at 48 West 9th Street. Other homes were 44 West 47th Street, West 59th Street, 10 West 30th Street, and 130 West 57th Street, all in Manhattan, New York.  

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