Howells

Howells,William Dean, an American novelist, was born at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, in 1837. He began his literary career as a journalist. He wrote a life of Lincoln in 1860, and from 1861-65 he was consul at Venice, his Venetian Life being the result of his residence there. Having done much work as a journalist and critic, he became in 1872 editor of the Atlantic Monthly, a post which he held for some years. He likewise contributed to the Century, and to Harper's Magazine. His first novel, Their Wedding Journey, was published in 1871, and has been followed by a regular succession of others as to whose merits opinions are much divided. Among these may be mentioned The Lady of the Aroostook, The Rise of Silas Lapham, and An Indian Summer.