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Oliver Wendell Holmes (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance) cover

Oliver Wendell Holmes (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)

By William Dean Howells
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About This Book

An admiring memoir sketches Boston's literary elite and places a celebrated Boston writer-physician within that Brahmin culture, noting his patriotism, gentle foibles, and social ease. Short anecdotes—one involving a young man seeking medical help, another about Venetian household economies—illustrate a lively conversational intelligence, humane curiosity, and wry humor. The portrait shows how personal kindness and wide-ranging interest enabled him to reach beyond local parochialism while retaining affectionate ties to his city and its social traditions.

About the Author

Howells, William Dean portrait

William Dean Howells

William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was an influential American author and literary critic, often regarded as the "Dean of American Letters." He is best known for his realistic portrayals of American life and society, particularly in the late 19th century. Howells's works often explore themes of social class and morality, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life. His notable novel, "A Hazard of New Fortunes," delves into the challenges faced by individuals in a rapidly changing society. Throughout his career, Howells contributed significantly to the development of realism in American literature, advocating for a more truthful representation of everyday experiences.

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