John William De Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John William De Forest
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| Born | May 31, 1826 Seymour, Connecticut |
| Died | July 17, 1906 (aged 80) New Haven, Connecticut |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | Realistic fiction |
| Subject | American Civil War |
| Notable works | Miss Ravenel's Conversion from Secession to Loyalty |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United StatesUnion |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Rank |  Captain Brevet Major |
| Unit | 12th Connecticut Volunteers |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
John William De Forest (May 31, 1826 – July 17, 1906) was an American soldier and writer. He is best known for his realistic stories. His most famous book, Miss Ravenel's Conversion from Secession to Loyalty, is about the American Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
John William De Forest was born in Seymour, Connecticut, in 1826. His father was a successful cotton manufacturer. John did not go to college. Instead, he chose to study on his own. He spent many years traveling and learning in Europe. He also spent two years in the Levant, which is a region in the Middle East.
During his travels, he studied Latin and learned to speak French, Italian, and Spanish very well. He visited countries like Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany. By 1850, he was already writing short stories for magazines. He had also written several books.
One of his first books was The History of the Indians of Connecticut. He wrote it between 1847 and 1850. This book showed his interest in history. It also showed his realistic writing style. He wrote about the treatment of the Pequots and King Philip's War. This was quite brave for his time.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, De Forest returned to the United States. He joined the Union Army as a captain. He helped create a military company from New Haven, Connecticut. This company was part of the 12th Connecticut Volunteers.
He served as a soldier until January 1865. He fought in many battles in the southwestern states. He also fought under General Philip Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. De Forest was in battle for 46 days and was only slightly wounded once.
He wrote vivid descriptions of these battles. These stories were published in Harper's Monthly during the war. After the war ended in 1865, he left the army. He had earned the honorary rank of brevet major.
Life After the War
After leaving the army, John De Forest worked for the Freedmen's Bureau. This group helped formerly enslaved people after the Civil War. He was in charge of the office in Greenville, South Carolina. His experiences there helped people understand what life was like in the South during Reconstruction. He wrote about these experiences in articles. They were later collected in a book called A Union Officer in the Reconstruction.
His wartime articles were also put together into a book. It was called A Volunteer's Adventures.
His Most Famous Novel
In 1867, De Forest published his most important novel. It was titled Miss Ravenel's Conversion from Secession to Loyalty. This book was praised for its realistic style. Some people called him a "realist before realism was named."
The novel showed the war with a strong sense of reality. It included bloody battle scenes, but also funny and thoughtful parts. De Forest tried to write about his own war experiences honestly. He wanted to show what war was really like, not just an idealized version.
A year later, De Forest wrote an essay for The Nation magazine. In it, he asked for American writers to focus more on realism. The essay was called "The Great American Novel." This is believed to be the first time that phrase was used.
John William De Forest passed away in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1906. He died from heart disease.
His Published Works
De Forest wrote many different types of works. He wrote essays, poems, and about 50 short stories. He also wrote many military sketches and book reviews. Most of his reviews were published without his name.
Here are some of the books he published:
- The History of the Indians of Connecticut, from the Earliest known Period to 1850 (1851)
- Oriental Acquaintance, a travel book about Asia Minor (1856)
- Witching Times (1856)
- European Acquaintance (1858)
- Seacliff, a novel (1859)
- Miss Ravenel's Conversion from Secession to Loyalty (1867)
- Overland (1871)
- Kate Beaumont (1872)
- The Wetherell Affair (1873)
- Honest John Vane (1875)
- Playing the Mischief (1875)
- Irene, the Missionary (1879)
- A Lover's Revolt (1898) (This story is set during the American Revolution.)
- The De Forests of Avesnes (and of New Netherland) (1900)
- Poems; Medley and Palestina (1902)
- A Union Officer in the Reconstruction (published in 1948, after his death)
