Theodore Dreiser, American Author


Dreiser on his summer estate. Theodore Herman Albert Dreiser (August 27, 1871 - December 28, 1945) was an American novelist and journalist. He published his first novel, Sister Carrie, in 1900. It sold poorly and was considered controversial because it features a country girl who pursues her dreams of fame and fortune through relationships with men. The book has since acquired a considerable reputation and has been called the "greatest of all American urban novels." His first commercial success was An American Tragedy, based on details and setting of the 1906 murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette in upstate New York. While the novel sold well, it was also criticized for his portrayal of a man without morals who commits a sordid murder. One of his strongest champions during his lifetime, H. L. Mencken, said "He was a man of large originality, of profound feeling, and of unshakable courage. All of us who write are better off because he lived, worked, and hoped." He died in 1945 at the age of 74. No photographer credited, undated.


Size: 3031px × 4500px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, 19th, 20th, albert, america, american, author, bw, century, dreiser, famous, figure, herman, historic, historical, history, important, influential, journalist, literary, literature, male, man, men, naturalist, notable, novelist, people, person, personalities, personality, photo, photograph, popular, school, socialist, states, theodore, united, usa, western, writer