The Dean of American Letters : The Late Career of William Dean Howells

The final volume of John W. Crowley's trilogy of works on William Dean Howells, this book focuses on the much neglected last decades of the author's life. It was during this period that Howells, already well known as a writer, became a kind of cultural icon, the so-called "Dean of American Letters." Beginning with A Hazard of New Fortunes (1890), Crowley sets Howells's later life and work into a personal as well as a public context. He traces the gradual construction of Howells's "Deanship" and its disastrous effects on his reputation, as the self-consciously aging writer sought to adapt, sometimes painfully, to a rapidly changing literary marketplace. We see Howells targeting audiences, trying to generate saleable ideas, worrying about marketing, and reflecting on the influence of commercial competition on art and creativity. In the end, Crowley sees Howells's rise to prominence as an early manifestation of the commodification of culture that came to dominate American letters during the twentieth century. At the same time, he succeeds in conveying the humane virtues that Howells never relinquished―his graciousness, his humility, and his geniality. The Final Volume Of John W. Crowley's Trilogy Of Works On William Dean Howells, This Book Focuses On The Much Neglected Last Decades Of The Author's Life. It Was During This Period That Howells, Already Well Known As A Writer, Became A Kind Of Cultural Icon, The So-called Dean Of American Letters. In The End, Crowley Sees Howells's Rise To Prominence As An Early Manifestation Of The Commodification Of Culture That Came To Dominate American Letters During The Twentieth Century. At The Same Time, He Succeeds In Conveying The Humane Virtues That Howells Never Relinquished - His Graciousness, His Humility, And His Geniality.--book Jacket. Introduction: Bill Of Particulars -- Howells In 1890: The Unsmiling Aspects Of Life -- The Man Of Letters As A Man Of Business -- The Making Of The Dean Of American Letters -- The Age Of Howells -- A Dead Cult: Unmaking The Dean. John W. Crowley. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "The final volume of John W. Crowley's trilogy of works on William Dean Howells, this book focuses on the much neglected last decades of the author's life. It was during this period that Howells, already well known as a writer, became a kind of cultural icon, the so-called "Dean of American Letters.""--BOOK JACKET. "In the end, Crowley sees Howells's rise to prominence as an early manifestation of the commodification of culture that came to dominate American letters during the twentieth century. At the same time, he succeeds in conveying the humane virtues that Howells never relinquished - his graciousness, his humility, and his geniality."--BOOK JACKET. This volume focuses on the last years of William Dean Howell's life. It was during this period that Howell became the so-called ""Dean of American Letters"". It traces the gradual construction of his ""Deanship"" and its effects on his reputation, as he sought to adapt to a changing market.