Document Type

Book

Publication Date

1972

Abstract

Bret Harte is well known as the first internationally famous writer of short stories about the West. “The Luck of Roaring Camp,” “The Outcasts of Poker Flat," and “Tennessee’s Partner,” all published in the late 1860's, earned Harte the recognition of the nation's popular audience and approval by Emerson, Lowell, Longfellow, Howells, and other leading literary men of the day. In 1870 Harte, then editor of the San Francisco-based Overland Monthly, published “Plain Language from Truthful James,” better known as “The Heathen Chinee.” Hawked on the street corners, endlessly reprinted, the poem created a national sensation. Soon afterwards, Harte took his family East, where during the next several years his popularity declined almost as quickly as it had ascended. In 1875, following unsuccessful attempts as a lecturer, novel writer, and dramatist, he accepted the position of United States consul to Crefeld, Germany. After years in Crefeld and later Glasgow, Harte left the consular service and lived the rest of his life in England. He was in poor health during this long, later period, but still managed to write memoirs, literary criticism, numerous letters, and an enormous amount of popular fiction about the long-gone California Gold Rush days. His wife and one son joined him near London in the 1890’s. Although Harte never returned to his homeland, he maintained a strong loyalty to America despite numerous published and private attacks, often stemming from those jealous of his popularity.

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