Life from Beginning to End: Biographies of American Authors

American literature is a rich and diverse tapestry, woven from the threads of countless authors' lives and works. From the early days of the republic to the present day, American writers have chronicled the nation's history, explored its social and cultural complexities, and given voice to its dreams and aspirations.

Louisa May Alcott: A Life from Beginning to End (Biographies of American Authors)

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In this article, we will take a closer look at the lives and works of some of the most influential American authors. We will explore their early childhoods, their literary influences, and their major achievements. We will also discuss the impact their work has had on American culture and society.

Early American Authors

The early years of American literature were marked by a strong Puritan influence. Many of the works of this period were religious in nature, focusing on themes of sin, redemption, and the importance of faith. However, there were also a number of secular writers who emerged during this time, such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

**Benjamin Franklin** (1706-1790) was a printer, scientist, inventor, and statesman. He is best known for his contributions to the American Revolution, but he also wrote a number of influential essays and books on topics such as morality, politics, and science.

**Thomas Jefferson** (1743-1826) was the third president of the United States. He is best known for his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, but he was also a prolific writer on topics such as politics, religion, and architecture.

The American Renaissance

The American Renaissance was a period of great literary activity in the United States that spanned the mid-19th century. This period saw the emergence of a number of major American authors, including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Walt Whitman.

**Nathaniel Hawthorne** (1804-1864) was a novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his dark and psychological works, such as The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables.

**Herman Melville** (1819-1891) was a novelist, short story writer, and poet. He is best known for his epic novel Moby-Dick, which is considered one of the greatest American novels ever written.

**Walt Whitman** (1819-1892) was a poet. He is best known for his collection Leaves of Grass, which celebrates the American spirit and the beauty of the natural world.

The Gilded Age and the Progressive Era

The Gilded Age was a period of great economic growth and social change in the United States that spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This period saw the rise of industrialization and the emergence of a new class of wealthy Americans.

**Mark Twain** (1835-1910) was a novelist, short story writer, and humorist. He is best known for his satirical works, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

**Henry James** (1843-1916) was a novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his complex and psychologically insightful works, such as The Portrait of a Lady and The Ambassadors.

**Edith Wharton** (1862-1937) was a novelist and short story writer. She is best known for her realistic and unflinching portrayals of American society, such as The House of Mirth and Ethan Frome.

The Lost Generation and the Modernist Movement

The Lost Generation was a group of American writers who came to prominence after World War I. These writers were disillusioned with the war and the social and political changes that followed. They often wrote about the alienation and despair of modern life.

**Ernest Hemingway** (1899-1961) was a novelist, short story writer, and journalist. He is best known for his spare and minimalist writing style, as well as his novels about war and love, such as The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms.

**F. Scott Fitzgerald** (1896-1940) was a novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his novels about the Jazz Age, such as The Great Gatsby and Tender Is the Night.

**William Faulkner** (1897-1962) was a novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his complex and experimental works, such as The Sound and the Fury and Absalom, Absalom!

The Post-World War II Era

The post-World War II era saw the emergence of a new generation of American writers. These writers were influenced by the war and the social and cultural changes that followed. They often wrote about the search for meaning and identity in a rapidly changing world.

**Saul Bellow** (1915-2005) was a novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his novels about the Jewish American experience, such as The Adventures of Augie March and Herzog.

**Philip Roth** (1933-2018) was a novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his novels about American Jewish life, such as Portnoy's Complaint and The Human Stain.

**Toni Morrison** (1931-2019) was a novelist and essayist. She is best known for her novels about the African American experience, such as Beloved and Song of Solomon.

American literature is a vast and ever-changing landscape. The authors discussed in this article are just a few of the many who have contributed to its rich tapestry. Their lives and works have helped to shape the American experience and to give voice to its dreams and aspirations.

Louisa May Alcott: A Life from Beginning to End (Biographies of American Authors)

by Hourly History

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4094 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	44 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE