Hamlin Garland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hamlin Garland
Born	(1860-09-14)September 14, 1860 West Salem, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died	March 4, 1940(1940-03-04) (aged 79) Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting place	Neshonoc Cemetery West Salem, Wisconsin
Occupation	Novelist poet psychical researcher writer
Notable work	A Daughter of the Middle Border, Main-Travelled Roads, Jason Edwards: An Average Man, A Member of the Third House, Crumbling Idols
Awards	Pulitzer Prize for Biography, 1922
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Hannibal Hamlin Garland (born September 14, 1860 – died March 4, 1940) was an American writer. He wrote novels, poems, and short stories. He is most famous for his stories about the lives of hardworking farmers in the American Midwest. He also studied psychic phenomena.

Hamlin Garland's Life Story

Early Life and Writing Dreams

Hannibal Hamlin Garland was born on a farm near West Salem, Wisconsin, on September 14, 1860. He was the second of four children. He was named after Hannibal Hamlin, who was the vice-president under Abraham Lincoln. Hamlin Garland grew up on different farms in the American Midwest. In 1884, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts, to become a writer.

He spent a lot of time reading at the Boston Public Library. There, he became very interested in the ideas of Henry George. George believed in a "Single Tax" system. These ideas influenced many of Garland's books. Some of these include Main-Travelled Roads (1891), Prairie Folks (1892), and Jason Edwards (1892).

First Major Successes

Main-Travelled Roads was Hamlin Garland's first big success. It was a collection of short stories. These stories were inspired by his own experiences growing up on a farm. He also wrote a biography about Ulysses S. Grant. This story first appeared in McClure's Magazine and then became a book in 1898.

In the same year, Garland traveled to the Yukon. He wanted to see the Klondike Gold Rush for himself. This trip inspired his book The Trail of the Gold Seekers (1899). Many of his writings are based on his time living on a farm between Osage and St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Moving to Chicago and Family Life

In 1893, Hamlin Garland moved to Chicago. He is known as an important writer in the "Chicago Literary Movement." A park in Chicago, Moccasin Ranch Park, is named after him.

In Illinois, Garland married Zulime Taft. She was the sister of the famous sculptor Lorado Taft. Hamlin Garland also worked as a teacher and gave many lectures.

Later Works and Recognition

Garland was a very busy writer. He kept publishing many novels, short stories, and essays. In 1917, he wrote his autobiography, A Son of the Middle Border. An autobiography is a book about the author's own life. This book was very popular.

Its success led him to write a sequel called A Daughter of the Middle Border. For this book, Garland won the 1922 Pulitzer Prize for Biography. He wrote two more books in this series. Later, he started a second series of memoirs based on his personal diary.

Hamlin Garland became quite famous during his lifetime. He had many friends who were also writers. In 1918, he became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. This is a group that honors important artists and writers.

Interest in Psychic Phenomena

After moving to Hollywood, California, in 1929, Garland spent his later years studying psychic phenomena. This means he investigated things like telepathy and communication with spirits. He had been interested in these topics since 1891.

In his last book, The Mystery of the Buried Crosses (1939), he tried to show that psychic events were real. He also tried to prove that psychic mediums were legitimate.

Final Years and Legacy

Hamlin Garland passed away at age 79. He died at his home in Hollywood on March 4, 1940. A memorial service was held near his home in Glendale, California. His ashes were buried in Neshonoc Cemetery in West Salem, Wisconsin. His poem "The Cry of the Age" was read at his burial.

The Hamlin Garland House in West Salem is a special place. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1971. This means it is an important historical site.

Hamlin Garland's Books

Images for kids

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  Hamlin Garland in 1891

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  Hamlin Garland's signature