“Dean” has passed away

By: Kayla Wolff

William Dean Howell, American novelist and significant contributor to the current so-called, “muckrakers,” was born on March 1st of 1837. It was announced last night that

Howell passed away, on May 11, 1920. William Dean Howell was a well-known novelist and supporter of the journalist critics, muckrakers. Howells was born in Martins Ferry, OH and moved from place to place most of his life including areas such as Venice, Italy. His most memorable accomplishment was his support towards women, as well as his work towards equality of races and genders. He is known as “The Dean of American Letters” and was awarded as the president of the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1908, just twelve years ago.

Howells gained the friendship of other feminism supporters such as Mark Twain and

Henry James after being their editor for years. The so-called “Champion of Literary Realism” was the first person to coin Twain as a literary artist. This helped him gain more potential to become a writer as well, writing books such as, The Wedding Journey (1872) and Chance ​ ​ ​ Acquaintance (1873). His accomplishments have impacted the act of muckrakers because he is ​ exposing the hidden secrets of the journalism world.

William Dean Howells's career included a radical change in American literature as novelist, critic, and editor, he contributed greatly to those changes. An supporter of honesty and social responsibility in writing, he helped fight against the struggle of “escapist fantasy and for realistic and morally and politically committed fiction.”

SOURCES https://biography.yourdictionary.com/william-dean-howells

William Dean Howells | American author and critic | Britannica www.britannica.com › biography › William-Dean-Howells