Carlyle's laugh, and other surprises

Name: Carlyle's laugh, and other surprises
Author: Thomas Wentworth Higginson

By Thomas Wentworth Higginson

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American Literature Essays, Letters & Speeches

About This Book

A wide-ranging collection of essays and sketches that profiles writers, thinkers, and public figures through brief biographical portraits, manuscript studies, and personal recollections. The pieces move between literary criticism and memoir, describing mannerisms, authorial habits, and specific texts while reflecting on themes of temperament, creative process, and public reputation. Several essays focus on encounters and archival discoveries, others examine historical episodes or regional reminiscences, yielding a conversational compilation that privileges anecdote and character study over systematic analysis and offers varied, accessible glimpses into 19th-century literary life.

About the Author

Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Thomas Wentworth Higginson was an American author, abolitionist, and soldier, known for his contributions to literature and social reform in the 19th century. He played a significant role in the Civil War, serving as a colonel in the first African American regiment, which inspired his book "Army Life in a Black Regiment." Higginson was also a prominent advocate for women's rights and wrote extensively on the subject in works like "Common Sense About Women." His literary output includes essays, historical narratives, and fiction, reflecting his diverse interests and commitment to social justice.