The Circle of Knowledge: A Classified, Simplified, Visualized Book of Answers - Unknown

SUMMARY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE

Note.—Poetic and dramatic writings are indicated by italics.

Author and Dates	Representative Works	Literary Characteristics
John Smith Virginia—1580-1631	True Relation of Virginia	A romantic recital of thrilling adventures.
William Bradford Plymouth Col.—1588-1657	History of Plymouth Plantation	A full and clearly written account to 1649.
John Winthrop Massachusetts—1590-1649	History of New England—1630-1649	A simple, personal narrative, with occasional freshness of style.
Anne Bradstreet Massachusetts—1613-1672	Poems; The Tenth Muse	An affected and cumbersome didactic poem.
Henry Norwood Virginia—1628-1670(?)	A Voyage to Virginia	Surprisingly well written in parts, and informative.
William Penn Pennsylvania—1644-1718	Brief Account of Pennsylvania	Confidently religious and philanthropic in tone.
James Blair Virginia—1656-1742	Sermons, No Cross, No Crown	Comparatively modern prose, written with pious zeal.
Cotton Mather Massachusetts—1663-1728	Elegy of Rev. Nathaniel Collins, Sermons, etc.	Voluminous ecclesiastical writings of “pedantic and fantastic quaintness.”
William Byrd Virginia—1674-1744	The Dividing Line, and other tracts	Full of fresh, humorous observations on life.
Robert Beverly Virginia—1675-1716	History of Virginia	A straightforward narrative of slightly polemic purpose.
Jonathan Edwards Connecticut—1703-1758	Sermons, Surprising Conversions, etc.	Strong and highly imaginative proclamations of Calvinism.
Benjamin Franklin Pennsylvania—1706-1790	Poor Richard’s Almanac, Autobiography	Wise and sagacious utterances of a fair, avowed utilitarian.
Thomas Jefferson Virginia—1743-1826	Notes on Virginia, Declaration of Independence	Full of wise foresight and keen acumen.
John Marshall Virginia—1755-1835	Life of Washington, Decisions, etc.	Profound and wise, but rather heavy.
Alexander Hamilton New York—1757-1804	Contributions to the Federalist	Keen and ingenious, full of information.
Alexander Wilson Scotland—1766-1813	American Ornithology	Pioneer investigations of a shrewd observer.
Charles Brockden Brown Pennsylvania—1771-1810	Wieland, Ormond, etc.	Weird and sensational, of the Godwin type.
William Wirt Maryland—1772-1834	Life of Patrick Henry, Letters of a British Spy	Interesting and informative, but also imaginative.
Robert Treat Paine Massachusetts—1773-1811	Adams and Liberty; Poems	Superficial, but of noticeable metrical facility.
Henry Clay Kentucky—1777-1852[779]	Speeches, Letters	Attractive because of personality and power.
Washington Allston South Carolina—1779-1843	Art Lectures; Poems	Highly artistic in intent and achievement.
James Kirk Paulding New York—1779-1860	Novels	Romances of little present interest.
Francis Scott Key Maryland—1780-1843	Poems, Star Spangled Banner, etc.	The chief poem is a national song of patriotic ardor.
William E. Channing Massachusetts—1780-1842	Addresses, Sermons, Essays	Social papers, clear, tolerant, thoughtful.
John James Audubon Louisiana—1780-1851	Birds of America, Quadrupeds of America	Marked by keen observation and wide interest.
John C. Calhoun South Carolina—1782-1850	Speeches, Papers, etc.	Forceful in logical thinking and clear exposition.
Daniel Webster New Hampshire—1782-1852	Orations	Elevated in thought and eloquent.
Thomas Hart Benton North Carolina—1782-1858	Thirty Years View	Rich and racy observations of wide experience.
Washington Irving New York—1783-1859	Knickerbocker’s History of New York, Sketch Book, etc.	Humorous, with delicate sentiment and grace.
Richard Henry Dana Massachusetts—1787-1879	Poems, The Buccaneer, etc.	Overambitious and not wholly successful.
James Fenimore Cooper New Jersey—1789-1851	Leather Stocking Tales, The Spy, etc.	Romantic and overfortunate in coincidence, but readable.
Jared Sparks Connecticut—1789-1866	American Biographies	Commendable efforts of a pioneer biographer.
Fitz Greene Halleck Connecticut—1790-1867	Poems, Marco Bozzaris, etc.	Frankly humorous and delightfully fresh.
George Ticknor 1791-1871	History of Spanish Literature	Scholarly and authentic.
John Howard Payne New York—1792-1852	Home Sweet Home, Poems	Universal in appeal and satisfying in form.
Samuel G. Goodrich Connecticut—1793-1860	Peter Parley Books	Popular introductions with a flavor of fiction.
William Cullen Bryant Massachusetts—1794-1878	Addresses, Letters; Poems, Thanatopsis	Dignified and poised, serious and helpful.
Joseph Rodman Drake New York—1795-1820	The Culprit Fay, Poems	Cleverly executed, but ingeniously fanciful.
James G. Percival Connecticut—1795-1856	Poems; Prometheus, etc.	Unsustained, though not without positive merits.
John Pendleton Kennedy Maryland—1795-1870	Swallow Barn, Horse Shoe Robinson, etc.	Old-fashioned but interesting pictures of southern life.
WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT Massachusetts—1796-1859	Conquest of Peru, Ferdinand and Isabella, etc.	Excellent history, very interestingly told.
Amos Bronson Alcott Massachusetts—1799-1888	Concord Days, Table Talks; Sonnets and Canzonets	Suggestingly idealistic, but lacking in general interest.
George Bancroft Massachusetts—1800-1891	History of the United States	Faithfully prepared and honestly presented.
Horace Bushnell Connecticut—1802-1876	Nature and the Supernatural, Work and Play	Serious, didactic efforts with spiritual purpose.
George D. Prentice Connecticut—1802-1870	Essays; Poems	Witty, sarcastic, daring and effective.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON Mass.—1803-1882	Conduct of Life, Representative Men, Essays; Poems	The prophet of American culture. Coalesces oriental conceptions and occidental individualism.
Jacob Abbott Maine—1803-1879	Rollo Books	Popular favorites of unsophisticated youth.
NATHAN’L HAWTHORNE Massachusetts—1804-1864	Twice Told Tales, Scarlet Letter, Marble Faun, etc.	Marked by a subtle mastery and the touch of genius.
Charles E. A. Gayarré Louisiana—1805-1895	History of Louisiana, Fernando de Lemos, etc.	Entertaining and scholarly bilingual productions.
Nathaniel P. Willis Maine—1806-1867	Poems; Sketches, Editorials, etc.	Skillfully elaborated but diminishing in fame.
William Gilmore Simms South Carolina—1806-1870	Poems; Novels, Biography, etc.	Versatile, original and artistic.
HENRY W. LONGFELLOW Maine—1807-1882	Outre Mer, Hyperion, Poems, Hiawatha, etc.	Popular in appeal and simple in form.
John G. Whittier Massachusetts—1807-1892	Editorials; Household Poems	With Burns’ love of nature and human nature.
EDGAR ALLAN POE Maryland—1809-1849	Tales; Poems, Raven, Annabel Lee, etc.	Excellent in artistic “totality of effect.”
Albert Pike Massachusetts—1809-1891	Hymns to the Gods, Poems, etc.	Of recognized interest and merit.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Massachusetts—1809-1894	Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, Novels; Poems	Clever, witty, versatile, and skillful.
Margaret Fuller Ossoli Massachusetts—1810-1850	Summer on the Lakes, Papers on Literature and Art	Notable in transcendental aim and in merit of achievement.
Harriet Beecher Stowe Connecticut—1811-1896[780]	Uncle Tom’s Cabin, etc.	Far-reaching in its influence.
JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY Massachusetts—1814-1877	Dutch Republic, United Netherlands	A rapid, easy style in presenting results of research.
Rufus W. Griswold Vermont—1815-1857	Christian Ballads; Poets and Poetry of America, Famous Poets	Valuable critical studies marred by partisanry.
John G. Saxe Vermont—1816-1887	The Money King, New Rape of the Lock, etc.	Humorous and sprightly.
Samuel A. Allibone Pennsylvania—1816-1889	Literature and Authors, etc.	Laborious and valuable.
Henry D. Thoreau Massachusetts—1817-1862	Walden, Excursions	Redolent of nature love, and cultured scholarship.
J. G. Holland Massachusetts—1819-1881	Timothy Titcomb’s Letters, Katrina	Enjoyed a large popularity.
Edwin P. Whipple Massachusetts—1819-1886	Essays and Reviews, American Literature	Of very distinct cultural value.
James Russell Lowell Massachusetts—1819-1891	Among My Books, My Study Windows, Biglow Papers, Poems, Sir Launfal, etc.	Keen, sparkling, scholarly, and artistic.
Walt Whitman New York—1819-1892	Poems, Leaves of Grass, My Captain, etc.	Unique in claim and form.
Julia Ward Howe New York—1819-1910	Social and Philosophical Papers, Battle Hymn of the Republic	Representative of the spirit of the times.
Margaret J. Preston Virginia—1820-1897	Beechen Brook, Cartoons, Colonial Ballads	Cultured and of human interest.
Richard Grant White New York—1821-1885	Words and Their Uses; Everyday English	Scholarly and suggestive.
Thomas Buchanan Read Pennsylvania—1822-1872	Poems; Drifting; Sheridan’s Ride, etc.	Commendable, especially in form.
Edward Everett Hale Massachusetts—1822-1909	The Man Without a Country, His Level Best	Vigorous and pointed, but provincial.
Donald G. Mitchell Connecticut—1822-1909	Dream Life, Reveries of a Bachelor	Attractive in meditation and grace.
Francis Parkman Massachusetts—1823-1893	Oregon Trail, Montcalm and Wolfe, etc.	Romantic, picturesque and of real interest.
George W. Curtis New York—1824-1892	Potiphar Papers, Prue and I, etc.	Widely popular and effective.
Bayard Taylor Pennsylvania—1825-1878	Northern Travel, Greece and Russia; Poems of the Orient, Translation of Faust	Too good at many things to be best at any.
Stephen Collins Foster Pennsylvania—1826-1864	Old Folks at Home, Old Uncle Ned, etc.	Popular in vein and melody.
Lew Wallace Indiana—1827-1905	The Fair God, Prince of India, Ben Hur	Uneven, but at times highly successful.
Chas. Dudley Warner Massachusetts—1829-1900	My Summer in a Garden, Little Journeys, etc.	Catholic in interests and attainments.
John Esten Cooke Virginia—1830-1886	Novels, Survey of Eagle’s Nest, etc., Lives of Lee and Jackson	Prime favorites with romantic youth.
Paul Hamilton Hayne South Carolina—1831-1886	Sonnets, Legends, Lyrics	In sonnets excellent, in other poems too prolific.
Louisa May Alcott Massachusetts—1832-1888	Little Women, Little Men	Influential in their popular appeal.
Edmund C. Stedman Connecticut—1833-1908	Victorian Poets, Poets of America, Alice of Monmouth	Showing creative power and critical ability.
Chas. Farrar Browne (Artemus Ward), Maine—1834-1867	Artemus Ward, His Book, etc.	Humorous in exaggeration and perversion.
Frank R. Stockton Pennsylvania—1834-1902	Rudder Grange, The Lady or the Tiger	Ingenious in plot, straightforward in style.
Moses Coit Tyler Connecticut—1835-1900	History of American Literature	Accurate and exhaustive.
Samuel L. Clemens Missouri—1835-1910	Innocents Abroad, Huckleberry Finn, etc.	Thoroughly representative of American humor.
Thomas Bailey Aldrich New Hampshire—1836-1907	Novels, Marjorie Daw, etc.	Cultivated and of literary talent.
William Dean Howells Ohio—1837-	Venetian Life; Rise of Silas Lapham, etc.	Realistic and entertainingly descriptive.
John Burroughs New York—1837-	Wake Robin, Winter Sunshine	Strongly uttering the charms of nature.
Mary Mapes Dodge New York—1838-1905	Hans Brinker	In high favor with children.
Albion W. Tourgee Ohio—1838-1905	A Fool’s Errand, Bricks Without Straw	Valuable for the point of view.
Thomas R. Lounsbury New York—1838-1915[781]	Life of Cooper, Studies in Chaucer, etc.	Of recognized scholarship and ability.
Francis Bret Hart New York—1839-1902	Luck of Roaring Camp, Gabriel Controy; Poems	Of international fame. Faithful and skillfull character portrayal.
Joaquin Miller Indiana—1841-	The Danites in the Sierras, Surge of the Sierras	With the sweep and breadth of the prairies.
Sidney Lanier Georgia—1842-1881	The Boy’s Froissart; Tiger-Lilies, Poems	Artistic to a high degree.
John Fiske Connecticut—1842-1901	Myths and Mythmakers, Histories	Scholarly and fairminded.
Henry James New York—1843-1916	Daisy Miller, Portrait of a Lady, etc.	Of characteristic conception and style.
George W. Cable Louisiana—1844-	Old Creole Days, etc.	Successful in achievement of purpose.
Elizabeth S. Phelps Ward Massachusetts—1844-	Gates Ajar, etc.	Widely read for religious sentiment.
Arthur S. Hardy 1847-	Passe Rose, etc.	Of trained literary ability.
James Lane Allen Kentucky—1849-	Flute and Violin, The Choir Invisible, etc.	Reaching a high standard of excellence.
Francis Marion Crawford New York—1854-1909	Novels, Travel, Descriptive Sketches	Best known for his Saracinesca series, the scenes of which are laid in modern Rome.
James Whitcomb Riley Indiana—1852-1916	Poems, Rhymes of Childhood, The Book of Joyous Children, etc.	His combination of humor, pathos, and sentiment appeals to high and low alike.
Mary N. Murfree (Charles Egbert Craddock), Tenn.—1850-	Novels, In the Tennessee Mountains, etc.	Absorbing studies in southern life and character.
Eugene Field Missouri—1850-1895	Poems, Little Boy Blue, A Dutch Lullaby, Love Song of Childhood, etc.	Holds a special place in American literature as the poet of Christmas and childhood.
Amelie Rives Virginia—1863-	Novels, Virginia of Virginia, The Quick or the Dead, etc. Poems	Her later writings show more charity of thought and richness of expression than was characteristic of her earlier productions.
Thomas Nelson Page Virginia—1853-	Novels, On Newfound River, Marse Chan, etc.	An interpreter of local life and color of unusual insight.
Henry J. Van Dyke Pennsylvania—1852-	Novels, The Other Wise Man, etc.; Poems	Keen in observation, healthful in tone, delightful in style.

PRONOUNCING DICTIONARY OF LITERARY ALLUSIONS

Concise, explanatory paragraphs concerning Famous Books, Poems and Dramas; Literary Characters, Plots and Scenes; Pen Names of Famous Writers; Soubriquets and Nicknames; Literary Geography, Shrines and Haunts; and numerous other literary references.

KEY TO THE SOUNDS OF LETTERS

ä, as in farm, father; ȧ, as in ask, fast; a, as in at, fat; ā, as in day, fate; â, as in care, fare; a, as in final; e, as in met, set; ē, as in me, see; ẽ, as in her, ermine; i, as in pin, sin; ī, as in pine, line; o, as in not, got; ō, as in note, old; ô, as in for, fought; ö, as in sole, only; õ, as in fog, orange; ö, sound cannot be exactly represented in English. The English sound of u in burn is perhaps the nearest equivalent to ö; oo, as in cook, look; ōō, as in coon, moon; u, as in cup, duck; ū, as in use, amuse; û, as in fur, urge; ü sound cannot be exactly represented in English. The English sound of u in luke and duke resembles the original sound of ü. The letter N represents the nasal tone of the preceding vowel, as in encore (äN-kōr´).

Aaron (ā´ron or ar’on).—A character in Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, a Moor of unnatural wickedness beloved by Tamora, queen of the Goths. The character shows originality of conception, but is otherwise repellant.