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'''William Hervey Allen Jr.''' (December 8, 1889 – December 28, 1949) was an American author.
'''William Hervey Allen Jr.''' (December 8, 1889 – December 28, 1949) was an American educator, poet, and author. He is best known for his work ''[[Anthony Adverse]]'', regarded by many critics "as the model and precursor of the contemporary American historical novel."<ref name=poetry/>


== Early life and education ==
== Early life==
Allen was born in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] on December 8, 1889 to William Hervey Allen and Helen Ebey Myers.<ref name="auto">Marquis Who's Who, Inc. ''Who Was Who in American History, the Military''. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1975. P. 8 {{ISBN|0837932017}} {{OCLC|657162692}}</ref> He graduated from [[Shady Side Academy]] in 1909, attended the United States Naval Academy from 1910 to 1911, and graduated from the [[University of Pittsburgh]] in 1915<ref name="auto"/> where he contributed to the humor magazine ''The Pitt Panther''.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://documenting.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A1936e49702/viewer#page/133/mode/1up|title=The Pitt Panther|work=1936 Owl|editor-first=Anne June|editor-last=Elmer|publisher=Senior Class of the University of Pittsburgh|year=1936|page=128|location=Pittsburgh, PA|accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref> While at college, he also became a member of the [[Sigma Chi]] [[Fraternities and sororities|Fraternity]].<ref>Nelson, Randy F. ''The Almanac of American Letters''. Los Altos, California: William Kaufmann, Inc., 1981: 49. {{ISBN|0-86576-008-X}}</ref>
Allen was born in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] on December 8, 1889 to William Hervey Allen and Helen Ebey Myers. He graduated from [[Shady Side Academy]] in 1909. He was a midshipman with the United States Navy from 1909 to 1910, and attended the United States Naval Academy from 1910 to 1911 when he was honorably discharged due to a track and field injury.<ref name=penn>[https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/Allen__Hervey "Hervey Allen", Pennsylvania Center for the Book, Pennsylvania State University]</ref>


Allen received a BS in Economics from the [[University of Pittsburgh]] in 1915<ref name="auto">Marquis Who's Who, Inc. ''Who Was Who in American History, the Military''. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1975. P. 8 {{ISBN|0837932017}} {{OCLC|657162692}}</ref> where he contributed to the humor magazine ''The Pitt Panther''.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://documenting.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A1936e49702/viewer#page/133/mode/1up|title=The Pitt Panther|work=1936 Owl|editor-first=Anne June|editor-last=Elmer|publisher=Senior Class of the University of Pittsburgh|year=1936|page=128|location=Pittsburgh, PA|accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref> While at college, he also became a member of the [[Sigma Chi]] [[Fraternities and sororities|Fraternity]].<ref>Nelson, Randy F. ''The Almanac of American Letters''. Los Altos, California: William Kaufmann, Inc., 1981: 49. {{ISBN|0-86576-008-X}}</ref>
⚫
== Military career ==
He was a midshipman with the United States Navy from 1909 to 1910.<ref name="auto"/>


He served as a 2nd lieutenant in the 18th Pennsylvania Infantry on the Mexican border in 1916 during the [[Pancho Villa Expedition]].<ref name="auto"/>
Allen served as a 2nd lieutenant in the 18th Pennsylvania Infantry on the Mexican border in 1916 during the [[Pancho Villa Expedition]]. That year he published a collection of poems, ''Ballads of the Border''. He also served as a lieutenant in the 28th (keystone) Division, [[United States Army]] during [[World War I]] and fought in the [[Aisne-Marne offensive]] July–August 1918. He was wounded in action at Fismes in August 1918.<ref name="auto"/> He also taught English to French soldiers at Favernay.


==Academic career==
He served as a lieutenant in the 28th (keystone) Division, [[United States Army]] during [[World War I]] and fought in the [[Aisne-Marne offensive]] July–August 1918. He was wounded in action in August 1918.<ref name="auto"/>
⚫
Allen became a Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh. For a period of time, he taught at the [[Porter-Gaud School|Porter Military Academy]] in [[Charleston, South Carolina]]. He also taught English at Charleston High School which at that time, although public, was only for boys. (The girls went to Memminger.) There he met and befriended [[DuBose Heyward]]. They collaborated on a volume of poems, ''Carolina Chansons'' (1922).<ref name=penn/>


In 1925, he lectured on American Literature at Columbia University. From 1926 to 1927, he was a lecturer on modern poetry at Vassar College, where he met his future wife.<ref name=penn/>
== Writing and academic career ==
⚫
He wrote ''[[Toward the Flame]]'' (1926), a nonfictional account of his experiences in the war.<ref name="arlington">{{cite web|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/whallenjr.htm|title=William Hervey Allen, Jr., First Lieutenant, United States Army|publisher=|accessdate=April 13, 2016}}</ref>


⚫
== Writing career ==
His first book, ''Wampum and Old Gold'', was awarded the [[Yale Younger Poets Prize]].
⚫
He wrote ''Toward the Flame'' (1926), a nonfictional account of his experiences in the war.<ref name="arlington">{{cite web|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/whallenjr.htm|title=William Hervey Allen, Jr., First Lieutenant, United States Army|publisher=|accessdate=April 13, 2016}}</ref> His book, ''Wampum and Old Gold'', was awarded the [[Yale Younger Poets Prize]]. Allen is best known for his work ''[[Anthony Adverse]]''. The book sold well and the royalties supported Allen and his family for the rest of his life.<ref name=poetry/>


Allen is best known for his work ''[[Anthony Adverse (novel)|Anthony Adverse]]''. He also planned a series of novels about [[Colonial history of the United States|colonial America]] called ''The Disinherited''. He completed three works in the series: ''The Forest and the Fort'' (1943), ''Bedford Village'' (1944), and ''Toward the Morning'' (1948). The novels tell the story of Salathiel Albine, a frontiersman kidnapped as a boy by [[Shawnee]] Indians in the 1750s. All three works were collected and published as the ''City in the Dawn''. Allen also wrote ''[[Israfel]]'' (1926), a biography of American writer [[Edgar Allan Poe]].
Allen greatly admired Thomas Jefferson. "Interest in American history and in a sort of American utopianism would characterize most of his later works."<ref name=poetry>[https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/hervey-allen "Hervey Allen", Poetry Foundation"]</ref> He planned a series of novels about [[Colonial history of the United States|colonial America]] called ''The Disinherited''. He completed three works in the series: ''The Forest and the Fort'' (1943), ''Bedford Village'' (1944), and ''Toward the Morning'' (1948). The novels tell the story of Salathiel Albine, a frontiersman kidnapped as a boy by [[Shawnee]] Indians in the 1750s. All three works were collected and published as the ''City in the Dawn''. Allen also wrote ''[[Israfel]]'' (1926), a biography of American writer [[Edgar Allan Poe]].

⚫
For a period of time, Allen taught at the [[Porter-Gaud School|Porter Military Academy]] in [[Charleston, South Carolina]]. He also taught English at Charleston High School which at that time, although public, was only for boys. (The girls went to Memminger.) There he met and befriended [[DuBose Heyward]].

From 1926 to 1927, he was on the faculty at Vassar University.<ref name="auto"/>


In the 1940s, he co-edited the [[Rivers of America Series]] with Carl Carmer. Allen was a good friend of [[Marjory Stoneman Douglas]] and instigated her writing ''[[The Everglades: River of Grass]]''.<ref>Stoneman Douglas, Stoneman. ''Marjory Stoneman Douglas; Voice of the River''. Englewood, FL: Pineapple Press, 1987. p. 190.</ref> Allen was close friends with [[Robert Frost]] and [[Ogden Nash]].
In the 1940s, he co-edited the [[Rivers of America Series]] with Carl Carmer. Allen was a good friend of [[Marjory Stoneman Douglas]] and instigated her writing ''[[The Everglades: River of Grass]]''.<ref>Stoneman Douglas, Stoneman. ''Marjory Stoneman Douglas; Voice of the River''. Englewood, FL: Pineapple Press, 1987. p. 190.</ref> Allen was close friends with [[Robert Frost]] and [[Ogden Nash]].


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
He married Ann Andrews on June 30, 1927. They had three children: Marcia, Mary Ann and Richard.<ref name="auto"/>
He married Ann Andrews on June 30, 1927. The marriage to his much younger former student was viewed as somewhat scandalous,<ref name=penn/> and the couple took up residence in Bermuda. They had three children: Marcia, Mary Ann and Richard.<ref name="auto"/>


== Death and legacy ==
== Death and legacy ==

Revision as of 23:19, 23 September 2020

William Hervey Allen Jr.
Born(1889-12-08)December 8, 1889
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
DiedDecember 28, 1949(1949-12-28) (aged 60)
Coconut Grove, Florida
AllegianceUnited States

William Hervey Allen Jr. (December 8, 1889 – December 28, 1949) was an American educator, poet, and author. He is best known for his work Anthony Adverse, regarded by many critics "as the model and precursor of the contemporary American historical novel."[1]

Early life

Allen was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 8, 1889 to William Hervey Allen and Helen Ebey Myers. He graduated from Shady Side Academy in 1909. He was a midshipman with the United States Navy from 1909 to 1910, and attended the United States Naval Academy from 1910 to 1911 when he was honorably discharged due to a track and field injury.[2]

Allen received a BS in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1915[3] where he contributed to the humor magazine The Pitt Panther.[4] While at college, he also became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.[5]

Allen served as a 2nd lieutenant in the 18th Pennsylvania Infantry on the Mexican border in 1916 during the Pancho Villa Expedition. That year he published a collection of poems, Ballads of the Border. He also served as a lieutenant in the 28th (keystone) Division, United States Army during World War I and fought in the Aisne-Marne offensive July–August 1918. He was wounded in action at Fismes in August 1918.[3] He also taught English to French soldiers at Favernay.

Academic career

Allen became a Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh. For a period of time, he taught at the Porter Military Academy in Charleston, South Carolina. He also taught English at Charleston High School which at that time, although public, was only for boys. (The girls went to Memminger.) There he met and befriended DuBose Heyward. They collaborated on a volume of poems, Carolina Chansons (1922).[2]

In 1925, he lectured on American Literature at Columbia University. From 1926 to 1927, he was a lecturer on modern poetry at Vassar College, where he met his future wife.[2]

Writing career

He wrote Toward the Flame (1926), a nonfictional account of his experiences in the war.[6] His book, Wampum and Old Gold, was awarded the Yale Younger Poets Prize. Allen is best known for his work Anthony Adverse. The book sold well and the royalties supported Allen and his family for the rest of his life.[1]

Allen greatly admired Thomas Jefferson. "Interest in American history and in a sort of American utopianism would characterize most of his later works."[1] He planned a series of novels about colonial America called The Disinherited. He completed three works in the series: The Forest and the Fort (1943), Bedford Village (1944), and Toward the Morning (1948). The novels tell the story of Salathiel Albine, a frontiersman kidnapped as a boy by Shawnee Indians in the 1750s. All three works were collected and published as the City in the Dawn. Allen also wrote Israfel (1926), a biography of American writer Edgar Allan Poe.

In the 1940s, he co-edited the Rivers of America Series with Carl Carmer. Allen was a good friend of Marjory Stoneman Douglas and instigated her writing The Everglades: River of Grass.[7] Allen was close friends with Robert Frost and Ogden Nash.

Personal life

He married Ann Andrews on June 30, 1927. The marriage to his much younger former student was viewed as somewhat scandalous,[2] and the couple took up residence in Bermuda. They had three children: Marcia, Mary Ann and Richard.[3]

Death and legacy

Allen died at his home, called the Glades, in Coconut Grove, Florida,[6] aged 60, from a heart attack, and was found by his wife.

Selected works

  • Wampum and Old Gold. Yale University Press. 1921. Hervey Allen.
  • Toward the Flame, George H. Doran Company, 1926 reprint. University of Nebraska Press. 2003. ISBN 978-0-8032-5947-8.
  • Israfel: The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe (1926) reissued 1934.
  • 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)
  • Achmed Abdullah, Hervey Allen, ed. (2003). Lute and Scimitar. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7661-7626-3. (reprint)

Sources

  1. ^ a b c "Hervey Allen", Poetry Foundation"
  2. ^ a b c d "Hervey Allen", Pennsylvania Center for the Book, Pennsylvania State University
  3. ^ a b c Marquis Who's Who, Inc. Who Was Who in American History, the Military. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1975. P. 8 ISBN 0837932017 OCLC 657162692
  4. ^ Elmer, Anne June, ed. (1936). The Pitt Panther. Pittsburgh, PA: Senior Class of the University of Pittsburgh. p. 128. Retrieved April 14, 2018. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Nelson, Randy F. The Almanac of American Letters. Los Altos, California: William Kaufmann, Inc., 1981: 49. ISBN 0-86576-008-X
  6. ^ a b "William Hervey Allen, Jr., First Lieutenant, United States Army". Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  7. ^ Stoneman Douglas, Stoneman. Marjory Stoneman Douglas; Voice of the River. Englewood, FL: Pineapple Press, 1987. p. 190.

References

  • Hervey Allen Papers [1](Hervey Allen Papers, 1831–1965, SC.1952.01, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh)

See also

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hervey_Allen&oldid=979987884"