I am indebted for many helpful criticisms to Mr. James R. Joy, to Miss Mary Charlotte Priest, and especially to Mr. Lindsay Swift of the Boston Public Library.

L. H. V.

January 23, 1906.

Contents

[WASHINGTON IRVING]
I.His Life[3]
II.His Character[10]
III.The Writer[13]
IV.Early Work: Knickerbocker’s History, Sketch Book, Bracebridge Hall, Tales of a Traveller[14]
V.Historical Writings: Columbus, Conquest of Granada, Mahomet[20]
VI.Spanish Romance: The Alhambra, Legends of the Conquest of Spain[24]
VII.American History and Travel: A Tour on the Prairies, Astoria, Life of Washington[27]
[WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT]
I.His Life[35]
II.His Character[44]
III.The Literary Craftsman[46]
IV.The Poet[50]
V.Latest Poetical Work: The Iliad and the Odyssey[58]
[JAMES FENIMORE COOPER]
I.His Life[65]
II.His Character[72]
III.The Writer[74]
IV.Romances of the American Revolution: The Spy, Lionel Lincoln[75]
V.The Leather-Stocking Tales and Other Indian Stories[77]
VI.The Sea Stories from The Pilot to Miles Wallingford[82]
VII.Old-World Romance and New-World Satire: The Bravo, The Heidenmauer, The Headsman, Homeward Bound, Home as Found[89]
VIII.Travels, History, Political Writings, and Latest Novels[93]
[GEORGE BANCROFT]
I.His Life[101]
II.His Character[108]
III.The Writer[110]
IV.The History of the United States[113]
[WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT]
I.His Life[123]
II.His Character[128]
III.The Writer[130]
IV.The Histories[132]
[RALPH WALDO EMERSON]
I.His Life[147]
II.His Character[157]
III.The Writer[159]
IV.Nature, Addresses, and Lectures[160]
V.The Essays, Representative Men, English Traits, Conduct of Life[166]
VI.The Poems[176]
VII.Latest Books[182]
[EDGAR ALLAN POE]
I.His Life[189]
II.His Character[198]
III.The Prose Writer[201]
IV.Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque[203]
V.The Critic[211]
VI.The Poet[215]
[HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW]
I.His Life[221]
II.His Character[228]
III.The Poet[230]
IV.Outre-Mer, Hyperion, Kavanagh[233]
V.Voices of the Night, Ballads, Spanish Student, Belfry of Bruges, The Seaside and the Fireside[236]
VI.Evangeline, Hiawatha, Miles Standish, Tales of a Wayside Inn[240]
VII.Christus, Judas Maccabæus, Pandora, Michael Angelo[245]
VIII.Last Works[249]
[JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER]
I.His Life[255]
II.His Character[264]
III.The Poet[266]
IV.Narrative and Legendary Verse[269]
V.Voices of Freedom, Songs of Labor, In War Time[273]
VI.Snow-Bound, Tent on the Beach, Pennsylvania Pilgrim, Vision of Echard[277]
[NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE]
I.His Life[287]
II.His Character[293]
III.The Writer[296]
IV.The Short Stories: Twice-Told Tales, Mosses from an Old Manse, The Snow-Image[298]
V.The Great Romances: Scarlet Letter, House of the Seven Gables, Blithedale Romance, Marble Faun[302]
VI.Latest and Posthumous Writings: Our Old Home, Note-Books, Dolliver Romance[314]
[HENRY DAVID THOREAU]
I.His Life[321]
II.His Character[325]
III.The Writer[327]
IV.The Books[328]
[OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES]
I.His Life[337]
II.The Man[341]
III.The Writer[344]
IV.The Autocrat and its Companions, Over the Teacups, Our Hundred Days in Europe[345]
V.The Poet[349]
VI.Fiction and Biography[352]
[JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY]
I.His Life[359]
II.His Character[365]
III.The Writer[367]
IV.The Histories[369]
[FRANCIS PARKMAN]
I.His Life[379]
II.His Character[383]
III.The Writer[385]
IV.Early Work: Oregon Trail, Conspiracy of Pontiac, Vassall Morton[387]
V.France and England in North America[390]
[BAYARD TAYLOR]
I.His Life[401]
II.His Character[407]
III.The Artist[409]
IV.Poetical Works[410]
[GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS]
I.His Life[417]
II.The Man[423]
III.The Writer and the Orator[424]
IV.Nile Notes of a Howadji, Prue and I, Trumps[427]
V.The Easy Chair[430]
VI.Orations and Addresses[433]
[DONALD GRANT MITCHELL]
I.His Life[439]
II.The Author and the Man[442]
III.The Writings[444]
[JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL]
I.His Life[453]
II.Lowell’s Character[461]
III.Poet and Prose Writer[463]
IV.Poems, The Biglow Papers, Fable for Critics, Vision of Sir Launfal[465]
V.Under the Willows, The Cathedral, Commemoration Ode, Three Memorial Poems, Heartsease and Rue[469]
VI.Fireside Travels, My Study Windows, Among my Books, Latest Literary Essays[474]
VII.Political Addresses and Papers[479]
[WALT WHITMAN]
I.His Life[485]
II.The Growth of a Reputation[490]
III.The Writer[492]
IV.Leaves of Grass[494]
V.Specimen Days and Collect[503]
VI.Whitman’s Character[504]

I
Washington Irving

REFERENCES:

[E. A. Duyckinck]: Irvingiana, a Memorial of Washington Irving, 1860.

W. C. Bryant: A Discourse on the Life, Character, and Genius of Washington Irving, 1860.

Pierre M. Irving: The Life and Letters of Washington Irving, 1862–64.