Owen Wister in United States

Owen Wister (1860-1938), American writer, was born in Philadelphia July 14 1860. He was a grandson of Frances Anne Kemble. On graduating from Harvard in 1882 he intended to devote himself to music. He went abroad for study; but ill-health forced him to return to America, and he spent several years in Arizona and New Mexico. He then entered the Hazard law school, graduating in 1888, was admitted to the bar in 1889 and for two years practised law in Philadelphia. Thereafter he gave his time to literary work. As an undergraduate he had contributed a poem, Beethoven, to the Atlantic Monthly in 1882. His subsequent publications include the Modern Swiss Family Robinson (1883); The Dragon of Wantley: His Tail (1892); Lin McLean (1898); The Virginian: a Horseman of the Plains (1902); Philosophy 4: a Story of Harvard University (1903); Lady Baltimore (1906); The Seven Ages of Washington: a Biography (1907); Members of the Family (1911); The Pentecost of Calamity (1915, a condemnation of Germany for the World War), and A Straight Deal: or the Ancient Grudge (1920). His novels, The Virginian and Lady Baltimore in particular, established his position as one of the foremost of contemporary American writers. He became a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters and of the Société des Gens de Lettres de France, and in 1912 was elected a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard.

Alternative Biography

WISTER, OWEN, an American writer, born in Philadelphia, in 1860. He graduated from Harvard University in 1882. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1889, but in 1891 engaged in literary work. His novels of the West, especially “The Virginian,” presented remarkable pictures of the early days of the development of the far West. His published works include: “Red Men and White” (1896); “Lin McLean” (1898); “Lady Baltimore” (1906); “Mother” (1907); “Members of the Family” (1911); “The Pentecost of Calamity” (1915). He also wrote a biography of General Grant. He was a member of several literary societies and was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University.