Charles Warren Stoddard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Warren Stoddard
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| Born | August 7, 1843 Rochester, New York, U.S.
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| Died | April 23, 1909 (aged 65) Monterey, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | San Carlos Cemetery, Monterey, Monterey County, California, U.S. |
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Charles Warren Stoddard (born August 7, 1843 – died April 23, 1909) was an American writer and editor. He is best known for his travel books. These books often described life in the South Pacific Islands.
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Life of Charles Warren Stoddard
Charles Warren Stoddard was born in Rochester, New York on August 7, 1843. His family moved to New York City when he was a child. In 1855, his family moved again to San Francisco, California. His father found a job there. Charles was 11 years old and loved the city right away. He thought San Francisco was very exciting and lively.
In 1857, he traveled to the East Coast with his sick brother, Ned. They stayed at their grandfather's farm in New York. By 1859, Charles was back with his family in San Francisco.
Early Writing Career
Charles started writing poems when he was young. California was becoming a place where many writers lived. His first work was published in a newspaper called The Golden Era in September 1862. He used the pen name "Pip Pepperpod." He later said he secretly put his writing in the newspaper's mailbox. No one in his family knew he was brave enough to try writing for a big newspaper.
His writings were popular. They were later published in a book called Poems by Charles Warren Stoddard. Charles had poor health, so he could not go to college. He also tried acting, but it was not successful.
Travels to Polynesia
In 1864, Charles visited the South Sea Islands. He wrote many letters to a friend about his travels. These letters were later published as a book called South-Sea Idyls in 1873. A famous writer, William Dean Howells, said these letters were "the lightest, sweetest, wildest, freshest things" about the ocean life there.
Charles made four more trips to the South Sea Islands. He wrote about his experiences in books like Lazy Letters from Low Latitudes and The Island of Tranquil Delights.
He visited Molokai several times. There, he met Father Damien, who cared for people with leprosy. Charles wrote a book called The Lepers of Molokai. This book helped many people learn about Father Damien's important work. In 1867, after his first visit to the islands, Charles joined the Catholic Church. He wrote about this in a small book called A Troubled Heart and How it was Comforted.
Working as a Correspondent
In 1873, Charles began a long trip as a special reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. He could travel anywhere he wanted. For five years, he traveled through Europe. He also went to places like Palestine and Egypt. He sent many stories back to his newspaper. Some of his best writing came from these travels.
Around 1880, Charles worked as an editor for the Overland Monthly magazine. He worked with famous writers like Bret Harte and Ina Coolbrith.
In 1891, Charles spent a summer sailing on a yacht called "Ramona." The yacht belonged to Harry Gillig and his wife, Aimee Crocker. They sailed along the Atlantic Coast. Other guests on the boat included artists and writers.
Teaching and Later Life
In 1885, Charles decided to settle down. He accepted a job teaching English literature at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. He later resigned due to illness.
He also held a similar teaching position at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. from 1889 to 1902. After that, he moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. He planned to focus only on his writing. However, a serious illness stopped his plans. He published a book of essays called Exits and Entrances. He called this his favorite work. It told stories about his friendships with other writers, like Robert Louis Stevenson.
In April 1903, he returned to San Francisco. He was honored at a special party there. He then moved to Monterey, California, hoping to get better. He traveled within California and was in San Francisco during the big 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.
He stayed in Monterey and was diagnosed with heart disease. He passed away from a heart attack on April 23, 1909.
Works
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Charles Warren Stoddard wrote many books. He once said about his only novel, For the Pleasure of His Company, that it was like his "Confessions." He hoped that by reading his writings, people could learn the whole story of his life.
Here are some of his other books:
- Summer Cruising in the south Seas (1874)
- Marshallah, a Flight into Egypt (1885)
- A Trip to Hawaii (1885)
- In the Footprints of the Padres (1902)
- Cruising among the Caribbees (1893)
- Hawaiian Life (1894)
- Saint Anthony, The Wonder-Worker of Padua (1896)
- A Cruise under the Crescent (1898)
- Over the Rocky Mountains to Alaska (1899)
- Father Damien, a Sketch (1903)
- With Staff and Scrip (1904)
- Hither and Yon
- The Confessions of a Reformed Poet (1907)
- The Dream Lady (1907)
