Today marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of American writer Stephen Crane. While Crane’s reputation suffered for several decades after his death, his writing had a strong influence on later 20th century writers. Today he is recognized as a major figure in American literature, particularly as a representative of late 19th century Naturalism. Crane …
This week marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scottish novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott, born in Edinburgh on August 15, 1771. Scott was one of the most popular English language authors of 19th century, whose work was frequently reprinted in both Great Britain and the USA. His Romantic poetry and historical novels …
Louisa spent 1870 traveling Europe with her youngest sister, May, and May’s friend Alice Bartlett. Settling into Rome that winter, Louisa received word that her sister Anna’s husband, John Pratt, had died aged 37 of a sudden illness, leaving behind two young sons. Alcott threw herself into writing a long-promised sequel to Little Women, motivated …
This month, Special Collections is highlighting three centuries of first editions by African American authors, from Phillis Wheatley to Toni Morrison. The exhibit is on display inside the Special Collections Reading Room, but you don’t need to be a researcher to come visit — just ask the reference staff for admission!
A PhD candidate, Zachary Turpin, made headlines in 2016 and again this year when he announced the discovery of two long-forgotten works by Walt Whitman: a series of newspaper articles entitled “Manly Health and Training” and a short novel, The Life and Adventures of Jack Engle: an Auto-Biography. Both texts were recently published in the …
Next year will be the 150th anniversary of the beloved novel Little Women, and if you’ve been following film and television news, you may know that several different production companies are planning on adapting the book for the screen! Alcott’s novels are no stranger to film and television; you may be a fan of one …
For Women’s History month, today’s post features some of our newest literary acquisitions by women authors, across several genres, from Victorian sensation fiction to the how-to book. VICTORIAN NOVELS Harriet Rakes, The Marriage Contract. London, 1849. Call number: Victorian Collection PR 5205 .R68 M3 1849 Elizabeth Missing Sewell, Ivors, or The Two Cousins. London, 1856. …
New Year’s Day marked the anniversary of the birth of Anglo-Irish author Maria Edgeworth (1767 or 1768-1849). Edgeworth was one of the most prolific and successful novelists of the early 19th century. Edgeworth’s earliest publications were children’s stories and treatises on education, but in 1800, she burst on the scene as a novelist with Castle …
100 years ago today, Jack London, American author and activist, died at age 40 in California. London is best known for his tales of the Klondike Gold Rush, including the novel The Call of the Wild and the oft-anthologized short story “To Build a Fire.” He was a prolific writer who wrote nearly two dozen …
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of novelist Herbert George Wells. Best known for his science fiction, Wells’ first career was as a science teacher. His first forays at publishing were educational articles and even a science textbook (pictured at the left)! Special Collections’ Victorian and Edwardian Collection is home to numerous first …