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Relationships of Howells, William

To explore the relationships between the various bohemian writers and artists who frequented Pfaff's bar, select a person or group, and then select a relationship type. This section of the site is currently under construction; new content is being added on a regular basis.

Displaying 1 - 37 of 37
acquaintances

Clapp, Henry Jr. (1814-1875)

Howells states that he "could not disown" his fascination with Clapp during his first meeting with him, even though Clapp's language caused him "inner disgust."

"When, in August, 1860, Howells paid a personal visit to New York and Clapp's editorial office, he found himself displeased with the foreign character of Henry's coterie which he called 'a sickly colony, transplanted from the mother asphalt of Paris, and never really striking root in the pavements of New York.'"

Clare, Ada (1836-1874)

Howells met Clare at Pfaff's and said that "it was taken for granted that she was a brilliant woman."

Twain, Mark (1835-1910)

Howells and Clemens were among the speakers at the "Authors' Reading" done by the friends of Longfellow for the Longfellow Memorial Fund.

Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)

Howells dined with Whitman during his first visit to New York.

Howells is identified as a writer Whitman met at Pfaff's.

Howells met Whitman on his August 1860 trip to New York.

antagonists

Burroughs, John (1837-1921)

Burroughs distrusted Howells' friendliness/relationship to Whitman.

Clapp, Henry Jr. (1814-1875)

Howells criticized Clapp for his overwhelming support of Walt Whitman.

During Howell's visit to the offices of the Saturday Press on August, 1860, Parry mentions that "he found himself displeased with the foreign character of Henry's coterie."

Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)

Howells was not fond of Whitman and believed that "Clapp had taken Whitman up because he was so obnoxious to respectable society."

Howells remarked that Whitman was practically the object of cult worship.

collaborators

Aldrich, Thomas Bailey (1836-1907)

Howells and Aldrich were among the speakers at the "Authors' Reading" done by the friends of Longfellow for the Longfellow Memorial Fund.

Howells reviewed Aldrich's poetry in the Saturday Press.

Clapp, Henry Jr. (1814-1875)

Curtis, George William (1824-1892)

Curtis and Howells both spoke at the "Authors Reading" done by the friends of Longfellow for the Longfellow Memorial Fund.

Howells and Curtis were among the speakers at the "Authors' Reading" done by the friends of Longfellow for the Longfellow Memorial Fund.

Howells takes over Curtis' position at Harper's Magazine when Curtis leaves.

friends

Aldrich, Thomas Bailey (1836-1907)

Shortly after starting his new position in Boston at Every Saturday, Aldrich became friends with William Dean Howells, then an assistant editor at the Atlantic Monthly (87). One month after receiving a note from Howells announcing that "I have a fine boy," Aldrich sent him a letter on September 18, announcing, "I have TWO fine boys" (118).

In a letter to Taylor, Aldrich discusses his new friendship with Howells.

Howells claimed that to be published in the Saturday Press was to be in Aldrich's "company."

Aldrich and Howells were members of John Boyle O'Reilly's Papyrus Club together in Boston.

Curtis, George William (1824-1892)

Howells mentions his adoration of Curtis and muses over why he didn't see him when he visited New York.

Stedman, Edmund Clarence (1833-1908)

Stedman was mentioned as being among the assembled group at Pfaff's when Howells visited during his first New York trip, where they likely first met (218).

Howells and Stedman met before he published this piece to reminisce and share their recollections of this time period together (70).

Howells discusses meeting Stedman before either experienced any fame and how they would share writing with one another. It seems Stedman would advise Howells on publication venues (71).

Howells also discusses Stedman's "worldliness" and his appearance when they first met (72).

Stoddard, Elizabeth Barstow (1823-1902)

Of his friendship with the Stoddards, Howells says "But what I relished most was the long talk I had with them both about authorship in all its phases, and the exchange of delight in this poem and that, this novel and that, with gay, wilful runs away to make some wholly irreverent joke, or fire puns into the air at no mark whatsoever. Stoddard had then a fame, with the sweetness of personal affection in it, from the lyrics and the odes that will perhaps best keep him known, and Mrs. Stoddard was beginning to make her distinct and special quality felt in the magazines, in verse and fiction. In both it seems to me she has failed of the recognition her work merits, and which will be hers when Time begins to look about him for work worth remembering" (72-73).

Stoddard, Richard Henry (1825-1903)

The Howells were introduced to the Stoddards by Edmund Stedman (72).

Of his friendship with the Stoddards, Howells says "But what I relished most was the long talk I had with them both about authorship in all its phases, and the exchange of delight in this poem and that, this novel and that, with gay, wilful runs away to make some wholly irreverent joke, or fire puns into the air at no mark whatsoever. Stoddard had then a fame, with the sweetness of personal affection in it, from the lyrics and the odes that will perhaps best keep him known, and Mrs. Stoddard was beginning to make her distinct and special quality felt in the magazines, in verse and fiction. In both it seems to me she has failed of the recognition her work merits, and which will be hers when Time begins to look about him for work worth remembering" (72-73).

Howells fondly recalls visiting the couple and mentions that they had an appreciations for all literature, including his own (73).

Howells says "I liked the Stoddards because they were frankly not of that Bohemia which I disliked so much, and thought if of no promise or validity; and because I was fond of their poetry and found them in it" (73).

Twain, Mark (1835-1910)

Howells and Twain were friends for over forty years.