Primary and Secondary Sources on Charles Dudley Warner
Biographical sketch (below)

Brief description of the Charles Dudley Warner papers at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
Stereoview of Warner's home at Nook Farm
Biographical sketch from the 1911 Encyclopedia
Brief assessment from the Cambridge Encyclopedia
Annie Adams Fields's recollections of Warner.

Charles Dudley Warner (1829-1900), author, critic, an editor, is best known today for his collaboration with Mark Twain on The Gilded Age (1873). Born in Plainfield, Massachusetts, on September 12, 1829, Warner worked on his guardian's farm from ages eight to twelve, an experience that informs the memoir Being a Boy (1877).  After graduating from Hamilton College in 1851, Warner, hoping to restore both his health and his fortune, joined an engineering corps surveying lands in Missouri.  After returning east, he married Susan Lee (1838-1921) (http://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/hbs/nook/warner.shtml) in 1856 and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania two years later.  He practiced law in Chicago before moving to Hartford and beginning his journalistic career in 1860. He was a founding member of the literary colony at Nook Farm, whose members included Harriet Beecher Stowe and Mark Twain.

Warner's principal contributions to journalism are his editorship of the influential newspaper The Hartford Courant and his exploration of the essay as a genre.  In 1861, he assumed the editorship first of The Evening Press and then of The Hartford Courant, later consolidating the two papers.  During the Civil War, Warner contributed essays and sketches to the Courant, consciously choosing, according to Annie Adams Fields, to focus on lighter domestic fare that would distract readers from the conflict (http://www.public.coe.edu/~theller/fields/warner.html). This series of popular editorials, later collected as My Summer in a Garden (1870), established Warner as an essayist as well as an editor, one whose genial manner and mildly humorous style recalled the work of Washington Irving.  Backlog Studies (1873) continued this tradition, being " a kind of apotheosis of home" that nonetheless prefigured some of Warner's critical preoccupations.

Beginning with Saunterings in 1872, Warner also published nine travel books, some of which focused on Europe and the Middle East, such as In the Levant (1875) and My Winter on the Nile: Among the Mummies and Moslems (1876; rev. ed., 1881). Others provided an in-depth look at lesser-known areas of the United States: Studies in the South and West, with Comments on Canada (1889), On Horseback: A Tour in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, with Notes on Travel in Mexico and California (1888), and Our Italy, Southern California (1892).  Many of his books were first published as essays in the major literary journals of the day, including The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's, and Scribner's. His editorship of the American Men of Letters biography series, for which he wrote the initial volume, a biography of Washington Irving, cemented his reputation as a biographer as well as an editor.

In addition to the genre of the familiar essay, Warner was successful as a critic and novelist.  His essays in social and literary criticism generally favored social and literary reform, albeit of a limited kind.  Although in "A Study in Prison Management" (1885) he supported flexible, open-ended sentences, and in "The Education of the Negro" encouraged African American suffrage and education, he nonetheless argued that manual training and a designedly slow pace of racial assimilation was necessary.  As a literary critic, he succeeded William Dean Howells as the writer of the influential "Editor's Study" column for Harper's from 1894-1898, and his judgments in the column, as in his books The Relation of Literature to Life (1896) and Fashions in Literature (1902), sought to elevate Americans' taste in literature.  After writing the satirical novel The Gilded Age with Mark Twain, Warner examined the rise and fall of a great family fortune through a trilogy of serious novels: A Little Journey in the World (1889), The Golden House (1894), and That Fortune (1899).  Achieving popularity during his lifetime but not the enduring critical respect given to figures like Twain and Henry James, Warner died in Hartford on October 20, 1900.

Works Available Online  Editor's Drawer  Editor's Study

Washington Irving (1881) (Newly released .html edition at Project Gutenberg)

• Washington Irving. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 45, issue 269 (March 1880).(Page images)

• Their Pilgrimage. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 73, issue 436 (September 1886).
• Their Pilgrimage. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 73, issue 435 (August 1886).
• Their Pilgrimage. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 72, issue 432 (May 1886).
• Their Pilgrimage. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 72, issue 431 (April 1886).
• Their Pilgrimage. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 73, issue 434 (July 1886).
• Their Pilgrimage. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 73, issue 438 (November 1886).
• Their Pilgrimage. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 73, issue 437 (October 1886).
• Their Pilgrimage. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 73, issue 433 (June 1886).

That Fortune (1899)
The Complete Writings of Charles Dudley Warner, Vol. 2 (Text at Project Gutenberg)
The Complete Writings of Charles Dudley Warner, Vol. 3 (Text at Project Gutenberg)
The Complete Writings of Charles Dudley Warner, Vol. 4 (Text at Project Gutenberg)

"The Education of the Negro"

Note: A Little Journey in the World (1889), The Golden House (1894), and That Fortune (1899) are a trilogy of novels exploring the creation and decline of a family fortune.

A Little Journey in the World (Text at Project Gutenberg)

• A Little Journey in the World. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 79, issue 469 (June, 1889).
• A Little Journey in the World. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 79, issue 471 (August, 1889).
• A Little Journey in the World. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 79, issue 472 (September, 1889).
• A Little Journey in the World. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 79, issue 474 (November, 1889).
• A Little Journey in the World. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 79, issue 470 (July, 1889).
• A Little Journey in the World. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 79, issue 473 (October, 1889).
• A Little Journey in the World. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 78, issue 467 (April,1889).
• A Little Journey in the World. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 78, issue 468 (May, 1889).

The Golden House. A Novel. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 533 (October, 1894).

The Golden House. A Novel. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 530 (July, 1894).

The Golden House. A Novel. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 532 (September, 1894).

The Golden House. A Novel. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 534 (November, 1894).

The Golden House. A Novel. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 531 (August, 1894).

The Acadian Land. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 74, issue 441 (February 1887).

Across Africa. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 50, issue 298 (August 1882).

The Adirondacks Verified, I. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 41, issue 243 (January 1878).
The Adirondacks Verified, II. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 41, issue 244 (February 1878).
The Adirondacks Verified, III. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 41, issue 245 (March 1878).
The Adirondacks Verified, IV. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 41, issue 246 (April 1878).
The Adirondacks Verified, V. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 41, issue 247 (May 1878).
The Adirondacks Verified, VI. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 41, issue 248 (June 1878).

Anglo-American Copyright. The North American Review, vol. 146, issue 374 (January 1888).

Around the Spanish Coast. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 52, issue 310 (August 1883).
Aspects of American Life. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 43, issue 255 (January 1879).
At the Gates of the East. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 36, issue 217 (November 1875).

 The Attack on the Senate. The Century, vol. 48, issue 3 (July 1894).

Back-Log Studies. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 3, issue 6 (April 1872).
Back-Log Studies. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 3, issue 4 (February 1872).
Back-Log Studies. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 3, issue 5 (March 1872).
Back-Log Studies. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 4, issue 1 (May 1872).
Back-Log Studies. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 4, issue 2 (June 1872).
Back-Log Studies. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 2, issue 3 (July 1871).
Back-Log Studies. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 4, issue 3 (July 1872).

Baddeck and that Sort of Thing, I. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 33, issue 195 (January 1874).
Baddeck and that Sort of Thing, II. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 33, issue 196 (February 1874).
Baddeck and that Sort of Thing, III. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 33, issue 197 (March 1874).
Baddeck and that Sort of Thing, IV. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 33, issue 198 (April 1874).
Baddeck and that Sort of Thing, V. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 33, issue 199 (May 1874).

 Bookra. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 91, issue 544 (September, 1895).
The Bull-Fight. The Century, vol. 27, issue 1 (Nov 1883).
Calvin: a Study of Character. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 14, issue 2 (June 1877).
Christmas Past. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 70, issue 415 (December 1884).

Coatepec. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 75, issue 445 (June 1887).
Comments on Canada. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 78, issue 466 (March, 1889).
Comments on Kentucky. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 78, issue 464 (January, 1889).
The Demand of the Industrial Spirit. The North American Review, vol. 139, issue 334 (Sept 1884).

Editor's Drawer
Editor's Drawer. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 81, issue 481 (June, 1890).
Editor's Drawer. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 81, issue 482 (July, 1890).
Editor's Drawer. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 81, issue 483 (August, 1890).
Editor's Drawer. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 81, issue 484 (September, 1890).
Editor's Drawer. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 81, issue 485 (October, 1890).
Editor's Drawer. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 81, issue 486 (November, 1890).

Editor's Study 

Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 88, issue 523 (December, 1893).

Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 88, issue 524 (January, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 88, issue 525 (February, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 88, issue 526 (March, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 88, issue 527 (April, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 88, issue 528 (May, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 529 (June, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 530 (July, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 531 (August, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 532 (September, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 533 (October, 1894).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 89, issue 534 (November, 1894).

Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 91, issue 541 (June, 1895).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 91, issue 542 (July, 1895).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 91, issue 543 (August, 1895).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 91, issue 544 (September, 1895).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 91, issue 546 (November, 1895).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 92, issue 547 (December, 1895).

Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 92, issue 548 (January, 1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 92, issue 549 (February, 1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 92, issue 550 (March, 1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 92, issue 551 (April,1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 92, issue 552 (May, 1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 93, issue 553 (June, 1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 93, issue 554 (July, 1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 93, issue 555 (August, 1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 93, issue 556 (September, 1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 93, issue 557 (October, 1896).
Editor's Study. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 93, issue 558 (November, 1896).
 

 Education As a Factor In Prison Reform. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 72, issue 429 (February 1886).
England. The Century, vol. 25, issue 1 (Nov 1882).
The English Volunteers during the Late Invasion. The Century, vol. 26, issue 1 (May 1883).
The Fair of Moses: The Armenian Patriarch. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 38, issue 229 (November 1876).
 From Jaffa to Jerusalem. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 38, issue 225 (July 1876).
The Golden Hesperides. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 61, issue 363 (January 1888).
 

The Heart Of The Desert. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 82, issue 489 (February, 1891).
The Holy Places Of Islam. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 85, issue 510 (November, 1892).
Holy Places of the Holy City. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 38, issue 227 (September 1876).

Impressions Of the South. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 71, issue 424 (September 1885).
Jerusalem. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 38, issue 226 (August 1876).

Mexican Notes. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 74, issue 444 (May 1887).
Mexican Notes. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 74, issue 443 (April 1887).
Mexican Notes. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 75, issue 445 (June 1887).
Mexican Notes: Morelia and Patzcuaro. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 75, issue 446 (July 1887).
Mexican Notes: Tczintczuntczan--Uruapan. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 75, issue 447 (August 1887).

Modern Fiction. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 51, issue 306 (April 1883).
Monserrat. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 51, issue 308 (June 1883).
Mr. Cable's Readings. The Century, vol. 26, issue 2 (June 1883).

Neighborhoods of Jerusalem. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 38, issue 228 (October 1876).
New England and the West. The New England Magazine, vol. 8, issue 2 (April 1890).
A New Interpreter of Greek Art. The Century, vol. 26, issue 6 (Oct 1883).
New Orleans. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 74, issue 440 (January 1887).

 A Night in the Garden of the Tuileries. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 5, issue 3 (January 1873).
The Novel and the Common School. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 65, issue 392 (June 1890).

On Horseback. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 56, issue 336 (October 1885).
On Horseback. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 56, issue 334 (August 1885).
On Horseback. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 56, issue 335 (September 1885).
On Horseback. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 56, issue 333 (July 1885).

Our Foreign Trade and Our Consular Service. The North American Review, vol. 162, issue 472 (March 1896).
Our Italy. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 81, issue 486 (November, 1890).
Out of the World. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 18, issue 4 (August 1879).
The Outlook In Southern California. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 82, issue 488 (January, 1891).

Passing the Cataract of the Nile. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 36, issue 213 (July 1875).
The People for whom Shakespeare Wrote. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 44, issue 261 (July 1879).
The People for whom Shakespeare Wrote, I.. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 43, issue 260 (June 1879).

Random Spanish Notes. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 52, issue 313 (November 1883).
A Ride in Spain. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 50, issue 301 (November 1882).

Saunterings about Constantinople. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 13, issue 2 (December 1876).
Simplicity. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 63, issue 377 (March 1889).
Sloane's "Napoleon". The Century, vol. 49, issue 1 (Nov 1894).

 The South Revisited. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 74, issue 442 (March 1887).
 The Story of Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 78, issue 467 (Sept 1896).

Studies of the Great West. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 76, issue 454 (March 1888).
Studies of the Great West. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 76, issue 456 (May 1888).
Studies of the Great West. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 76, issue 455 (April 1888).

 A Study of Prison Management. The North American Review, vol. 140, issue 341 (April 1885).

Thoughts Suggested by Froude's "Progress". Scribner's Monthly, vol. 7, issue 3 (January 1874).

Wagner's Parsifal. The Atlantic Monthly, vol. 51, issue 303 (January 1883).
The Western Man. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 20, issue 4 (August 1880).
What is your Culture to Me?. Scribner's Monthly, vol. 4, issue 4 (August 1872).
The Winter Of Our Content. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 82, issue 487 (December, 1890).
How Shall Women Dress?. The North American Review, vol. 140, issue 343 (June 1885).