Golden Age of Indiana Literature facts for kids
The Golden Age of Indiana Literature was a special time between 1880 and 1920. During these years, many famous writers from Indiana created amazing books, poems, and plays. These authors became very popular across the United States and even around the world! Indiana was home to some of the most well-known writers of that era.
Contents
Indiana's Golden Age of Literature
This exciting period saw many talented writers from Indiana become household names. They wrote stories, poems, and plays that were loved by millions. Some of the most important writers from Indiana during this time included Maurice Thompson, George Ade, Booth Tarkington, Theodore Dreiser, Edward Eggleston, Frank McKinney Hubbard, George Barr McCutcheon, Meredith Nicholson, Gene Stratton Porter, Lew Wallace, and James Whitcomb Riley. These authors were known as "Hoosier" writers, which is a nickname for people from Indiana.
Lew Wallace and Ben-Hur
One of the biggest successes of this era was Ben Hur: A Tale of Christ, written by Lew Wallace. This book became the best-selling book of the entire 19th century! It was a huge achievement for an Indiana author.
James Whitcomb Riley, The Hoosier Poet
James Whitcomb Riley was another very important figure. He became the most famous poet of his time. He wrote many beloved poems, including the well-known "Little Orphant Annie". His poems often captured the spirit and charm of Indiana life.
Other Popular Novelists
Several other authors also wrote many best-selling novels.
- Booth Tarkington wrote popular books like The Gentleman from Indiana.
- Maurice Thompson was known for his novel Alice of Old Vincennes.
- Meredith Nicholson wrote The House of a Thousand Candles.
These writers helped make Indiana famous for its literature.
Theodore Dreiser's Unique Voice
Theodore Dreiser was a writer who lived longer than most in this group. He wrote many stories and non-fiction books that explored important ideas about society. He was different from the other authors because he was not very popular with people in his home state.
George Ade: The "Aesop of Indiana"
George Ade was a very clever writer. He was a newspaper columnist and a playwright, meaning he wrote plays. He was famous for using everyday language and slang in his newspaper column, "Stories of the Streets and of the Town." He also wrote funny stories called "fables in slang." These fables used common speech and lots of capitalized words for emphasis.
Ade's fables were printed in newspapers and magazines, and also published as a series of books. This earned him the nickname "the Aesop of Indiana," comparing him to the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop. George Ade also wrote several plays that were performed on Broadway, which is a famous theater district in New York City. His best-known plays were The County Chairman (1903) and The College Widow (1904). These plays were even made into movies! He also wrote other movie scripts and short plays.
Gene Stratton-Porter: Nature and Stories
Gene Stratton Porter was a best-selling author who wrote novels, nature studies, poetry, short stories, and even books for children. Her most famous book is A Girl of the Limberlost (1909). She also wrote columns for popular national magazines like McCall's and Good Housekeeping. Eight of her novels were even turned into motion pictures.
Cultural Growth in Indiana
The Golden Age of Indiana Literature wasn't just about books. It was a time when other parts of Indiana's culture also grew. For example, the Hoosier Group of landscape painters became well-known. Indiana also had famous music composers like Paul Dresser. During these decades, Indiana was actually the second-highest state in the country for producing best-selling books! This shows how important and influential Indiana's writers were during this special time.
