Criticism and Fiction

William Dean Howells, a prominent American realist novelist and literary critic, earned the nickname "The Dean of American Letters." His editorial role at The Atlantic Monthly and notable works, including "Christmas Every Day" and "The Rise of Silas Lapham," highlight his literary contributions. Howells began his career in politics as a clerk in the State House of Representatives and later wrote for the Ohio State Journal, where he explored poetry and translations, demonstrating a deep interest in languages and figures like Heinrich Heine.