Henry James (4149 words)

Kate Campbell (University of East Anglia)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 3.2.3: Early Twentieth-century US-American Writing and Culture, 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Emory Elliott (University of California, Riverside), Matthew Hofer (University of New Mexico), Stephen E. Meats (Pittsburg State University), Nick Selby (University of East Anglia)

Context

Dates

Life: 15-04-1843 to 28-02-1916
Activity: 1869 to 1916

Places

United States (Birth; Primary Activity)
United Kingdom, England (Primary Activity)

Activities

Autobiographer (Primary)
Biographer (Primary)
Essayist (Primary)
Letter-writer/ Diarist (Primary)
Literary Critic/ Historian (Primary)
Novelist (Primary)
Playwright / Dramatist (Primary)
Story-writer (Primary)
Travel writer (Primary)

Other Resources

Article Anthologies
Anthology
The Art of Fiction

Henry James was born off Broadway, in Washington Place, New York, 1843, the second of five children. Henry's father, Henry James Sr. (q.v.), contrary to the Protestant work ethic that had brought him inherited wealth, preached a life of being rather than doing. He was reliant on his wife Mary who appeared both strong and selfless. His main activity was propounding his philosophical and social ideas for the spiritual and social improvement of mankind in numerous lectures, essays, writing in the press and informal advocacy; and travelling, often at short notice.

So the James children grew up on the move, on both sides of the Atlantic. Henry Jr. crossed it as a baby, for a stay of nearly two years, and then again at twelve, …

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Citation: Campbell, Kate. "Henry James". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 25 June 2002 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5083, accessed 31 March 2020.]

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