Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • William Dean Howells: An American novelist, literary critic, and editor, prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a leading proponent of literary realism.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • William Dean Howells was a close friend of Mark Twain.
  • The literary theories of William Dean Howells influenced a generation of American writers.
  • We are studying the works of William Dean Howells in my American literature class.

Advanced Usage

• The "Dean of American Letters": This is an honorary title often associated with Howells due to his influential role as an editor and critic.
  • As the so-called "Dean of American Letters," William Dean Howells championed new realist authors.

Variants and Related Words

• Howellsian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of the literary style or principles of William Dean Howells.
  • The novel's focus on everyday life is distinctly Howellsian.

Synonyms

• The Editor of The Atlantic Monthly: A key role he held, often used to identify him.
• American Realist: Describes his primary literary movement affiliation.

Related Phrases

• "Howellsian realism": Refers specifically to his brand of literary realism, which emphasized truthful depiction of ordinary life and ethical complexity over romanticized plots.
  • The author's commitment to Howellsian realism is evident in her detailed character portraits.

Noun

1. United States writer and editor (1837-1920)