Origins & Early Life

William Dean Howells ( HOW-əlz; March 1, 1837 – May 11, 1920) was an American realist novelist, literary critic, playwright, and diplomat, nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters". He was particularly known for his tenure as editor of The Atlantic Monthly, as well as for the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria, and the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day", which was adapted into a 1996 film of the same name. William Dean Howells was born on March 1, 1837, in Martinsville, Ohio (now known as Martins Ferry, Ohio), to William Cooper Howells and Mary Dean Howells, the second of eight children. He had Welsh, German, Irish, and English ancestry.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His father was a newspaper editor and printer who moved frequently around Ohio. In 1840, the family settled in Hamilton, Ohio, where his father oversaw a Whig newspaper and followed Swedenborgianism. Their nine years there were the longest period that they stayed in one place. The family had to live frugally, although the young Howells was encouraged by his parents in his literary interests. He began at an early age to help his father with typesetting and printing work, a job known...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alvar Aalto — Shared historical date (05-11 · Died) (1976): Pioneering Finnish architect whose total art approach defined modern Nordic design.
• 1837 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1837
• March 1 (03-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 1
• 1920 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1920
• May 11 (05-11) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 11