Hervey Allen facts for kids

William Hervey Allen Jr. (born December 8, 1889 – died December 28, 1949) was a talented American writer, poet, and teacher. He is most famous for his book Anthony Adverse. This book was so popular that it was even made into a movie in 1936. Many people think his work helped shape what we now call the modern American historical novel.

Early Life and Military Service

William Hervey Allen Jr. was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 8, 1889. His parents were William Hervey Allen and Helen Ebey Myers. He finished high school at Shady Side Academy in 1909.

He joined the United States Navy as a midshipman from 1909 to 1910. He also attended the United States Naval Academy. However, he had to leave in 1911 because of an injury he got during track and field sports.

College Years

Allen went on to study at the University of Pittsburgh. He earned a degree in economics in 1915. While there, he wrote for the school's humor magazine, The Pitt Panther. He also joined a college club called the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Serving His Country

In 1916, Allen served as a second lieutenant in the 18th Pennsylvania Infantry. This was during the Pancho Villa Expedition on the Mexican border. That same year, he published a book of poems called Ballads of the Border.

He also served as a lieutenant in the United States Army during World War I. He was a company commander in the 111th Infantry Regiment. His unit was part of the 28th Division. He fought in the Aisne-Marne offensive in France in July and August 1918. He was injured in August 1918. After his injury, he taught English to French soldiers.

Teaching and Writing

After the war, Allen became a Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh. He also taught at the Porter Military Academy in Charleston, South Carolina. He taught English at Charleston High School too. This school was only for boys at the time.

While in Charleston, he became good friends with another writer named DuBose Heyward. They worked together on a book of poems called Carolina Chansons in 1922.

Lectures and New Connections

In 1925, Allen gave lectures about American Literature at Columbia University. From 1926 to 1927, he taught about modern poetry at Vassar College. It was there that he met Ann Andrews, who would later become his wife.

His Famous Books

William Hervey Allen wrote a book called Toward the Flame (1926). It was a true story about his experiences during World War I. His book of poems, Wampum and Old Gold, won the Yale Younger Poets Prize.

His most famous book is Anthony Adverse. This book sold many copies. The money he earned from it helped support him and his family for the rest of his life.

Historical Novels

Allen really admired Thomas Jefferson, one of America's founding fathers. He was very interested in American history. This interest showed in most of his later books.

He planned a series of novels about colonial America. He called this series The Disinherited. He finished three books in the series: The Forest and the Fort (1943), Bedford Village (1944), and Toward the Morning (1948). These novels tell the story of Salathiel Albine. He was a frontiersman who was taken by Shawnee Indians as a boy in the 1750s. All three books were later put together and published as The City in the Dawn.

Allen also wrote Israfel (1926). This was a biography, or life story, of the famous American writer Edgar Allan Poe.

Working with Other Writers

In the 1940s, Allen helped edit the Rivers of America Series with Carl Carmer. He was a good friend of Marjory Stoneman Douglas. He encouraged her to write her famous book, The Everglades: River of Grass. Allen was also close friends with the poets Robert Frost and Ogden Nash.

Personal Life

William Hervey Allen married Ann Andrews on June 30, 1927. Ann was his former student and much younger than him. They moved to Bermuda after they got married. They had three children: Marcia, Mary Ann, and Richard.

Death and Legacy

William Hervey Allen died at his home in Coconut Grove, Florida. His home was called the Glades. He was 60 years old when he passed away from a heart attack. His wife found him. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C..

Selected Works

• Israfel: The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe (1926)
• Anthony Adverse (1933) ISBN: 4-87187-890-2
• Action at Aquila, Farrar & Rinehart, (1938)
• The Forest and the Fort (1943)
• Bedford Village (1944)
• Toward the Morning (1948)
• The City in the Dawn (1950)

See also

In Spanish: Hervey Allen para niños

• Anthony Adverse (1936 Hollywood film)