James Lane Allen Letter

Collection — Box: VMF 1, Folder: 03

Identifier: MS-VMF-vmf003

Staff Only

Autograph letter, signed from James Lane Allen to Mr. McGee, thanking him for his interest and "data" which Allen intended to use in a story still in progress [The Sword of Youth]. Allen refers to an editorial in Sunday's Times which discussed the story, apparently then appearing in serial form. 3 pages.

Dates

Creation: undated

Creator

Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Conditions Governing Use

Users of the collection must read and agree to abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the Materials Use Policies. Providing access to materials does not constitute permission to publish or otherwise authorize use. All publication not covered by fair use or other exceptions is restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder, which may or may not be Washington University. If you wish to publish or license Special Collections materials, please contact Special Collections to inquire about copyright status at (314) 935-5495 or spec@wumail.wustl.edu. (Publish means quotation in whole or in part in seminar or term papers, theses or dissertations, journal articles, monographs, books, digital forms, photographs, images, dramatic presentations, transcriptions, or any other form prepared for a limited or general public.)

Extent

1 items

1 folders

Additional Description

Biographical or Historical Information

James Lane Allen was born on a farm near Lexington, Kentucky on December 21, 1849. As a young boy, he lived the life of the Southern ante-bellum gentry, but by the time he was a teenager, the Civil War and Reconstruction had ushered in a new era for both himself and his family. In 1894 his novel, A Kentucky Cardinal, was released, making him a commercial as well as a critical success. It was followed by the even more successful novel, The Choir Invisible, in 1897. The Reign of Law (1900) also was successful, but because it was one of the first American novels to deal opening with religious doubt and Darwinism, it angered many churchmen and alienated Allen from some of his readership. The Mettle of the Pasture (1903) was his last commercial success. In February 1925, James Lane Allen died. He was brought to Lexington, Kentucky, to be buried.