Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925

Variant names

Hide Profile

James Lane Allen was Kentucky's first important novelist. His success came early in his career but when he tried to broaden the themes of his work he lost the audience and critical acclaim which he had previously received.

From the description of James Lane Allen : miscellaneous papers, 1890-1924. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 46708345

American novelist.

From the description of Letters, a newspaper clipping, and an envelope, 1894-1900. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367563195

From the description of Autograph letter signed : New York, to Miss Margaret Lee (d. 1914), 1900 Jan. 11. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270870206

James Lane Allen was an American author and critic. Born and raised in Kentucky, Allen began publishing criticism when various other plans proved unworkable. His approach to criticism was moral and logical, and he preferred romance fiction to realism. He achieved popular success with his own stories and novels of Kentucky, using these tales to promote his critical theories and beliefs. His fiction represented the contemporary trend for local color in fiction, although his popularity waned in the literary environment of the early 20th century.

From the description of James Lane Allen letters, 1920. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 58726258

James Lane Allen was a Kentucky novelist who achieved success in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with many novels and short stories describing the Bluegrass region and frontier life in the Commonwealth.

From the description of James Lane Allen papers 1881-1924. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 27920091

Allen was a popular Kentucky novelist and short-story writer. He wrote extensively concerning the Blue Grass region.

From the description of To John N. Hilliard 1896 January 14 letter. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49251808

Mrs. Rouland was the secretary of the Program Committee of the testimonial to William Winter.

From the description of Autograph letter signed from James Lane Allen to Minnie T. Rouland [manuscript], 1916 March 10. (Folger Shakespeare Library). WorldCat record id: 379795855

American author.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Naples, to Dr. Baldwin, 1905 Nov. 25. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270858493

Author.

From the description of Papers, 1889-1911. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19106142

From the description of Papers, 1889-1911. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 154270421

Author

James Lane Allen was born near Lexington, Kentucky, December 21, 1849. He was the seventh and youngest child of Richard Allen, a Kentuckian, and his wife, Helen Foster Allen, a native of Mississippi. Lane Allen, as he was known in Kentucky until he became a distinguished figure in letters, was interested in books and nature when a boy under his mother's tutelage. He attended Kentucky University, later known as Transylvania, graduating valedictorian in 1872 and an M.A. five years later.He was a teacher until 1884, when he became a writer. The first seven or eight years as a writer he divided between New York, Cincinnati, and Kentucky. After that time he resided in New York. He began writing short essays and poems for periodicals. He was later known for his short stories, sometimes collected, and his novels.

From the description of James Lane Allen papers, 1892-1923. (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 12673108

James Lane Allen was born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1849. He attended Transylvania Academy and graduated from Kentucky University (later Transylvania University) in 1872. During much of the 1870s and 1880s he had a varied career as an educator, serving as professor and schoolmaster at institutions in Missouri, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

In 1884 he quit teaching and began his career as a writer, moving first to Cincinnati, Ohio, and later to New York City. His short stories and serialized novels were published in various literary magazines, including the ATLANTIC and HARPER'S, and he received international recognition for his work on such novels as A KENTUCKY CARDINAL (1894) and THE CHOIR INVISIBLE (1897). The last years of his life were marked by a decline in his literary reputation and popularity, and he died in New York in relative obscurity.

From the description of Papers, 1916-1933. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 191915824

Biographical note: James Lane Allen was born near Lexington, Kentucky in 1849. He received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Kentucky University (now Transylvania University). He taught school for several years and established a school for boys in Lexington. He later abandoned teaching to devote all his time to writing.

Allen began his literary career by submitting essays to various periodicals, such as HARPER'S and the CENTURY MAGAZINE. His novels included A KENTUCKY CARDINAL, AFTERMATH, THE CHOIR INVISIBLE, THE HEROINE IN BRONZE, THE BRIDE OF THE MISTLETOE, and THE REIGN OF LAW. Allen lived in Kentucky and Cincinnati at the beginning of his career but later maintained his primary residence in New York City, where he died in 1925.

From the description of Papers, 1881-1924. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 191917515

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Moore family. Moore family papers, 1835-1962, 1835-1916 (bulk dates) University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Noe, Cotton, 1864-1953. Cotton Noe papers, 1915-1949. University of Kentucky Libraries
creatorOf Ward, Lydia Avery Coonley, 1845-1924. Autographs collected and letters received, A-N by Lydia Avery Coonley Ward, 1705, 1785, 1848, 1861-1922 (bulk 1861-1922). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Mark Anthony De Wolfe Howe additional papers Houghton Library
referencedIn Autograph File, A, 1518-2002. Houghton Library
referencedIn Townsend, John Wilson, 1885-1968. John Wilson Townsend papers, 1908-1936 1808-1915. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Markham, Edwin, 1852-1940. [Letter] 1912 October 24, Staten Island [to] Mr. [Harold Strong] Latham, [New York City] / Edwin Markham. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
referencedIn Cassidy, Massillon Alexander, 1856-1928. Massillon Alexander Cassidy papers, 1915-1925. University of Kentucky Libraries
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Papers, 1889-1911. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896. Papers of Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe [manuscript] 1826-1898. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Verse "for Reverend Clay Mitchell" : ALS, [undated]. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Correspondence to Van Wyck Brooks, 1916-1918. University of Pennsylvania Library
creatorOf Edgar, William C. (William Crowell), 1856-1932. William C. Edgar and family papers, 1832-1949. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Finck, Edward Bertrand, 1870-1931. Edward Bertrand Finck : papers, 1887-1923. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Century Company records New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Walter Hines Page letters from various correspondents, American period Houghton Library
creatorOf Ward, Lydia Avery Coonley, 1845-1924. Autographs collected and letters received by Lydia Avery Coonley Ward, 1705, 1785, 1848, 1861-1922 (bulk 1861-1922). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Appleton-Century mss., 1846-1962 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925,. Autograph letter signed from James Lane Allen to Minnie T. Rouland [manuscript], 1916 March 10. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf St. James' Episcopal Church (Pewee Valley, Ky.). Ladies' Guild. Records, 1897-1901 and n.d. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. James Lane Allen papers 1881-1924. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Lexington Cemetery (Lexington, Ky.). Cemetery records, 1849-[ongoing]. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky Guide Project Office
referencedIn Gentry, Helen Norton Harrison. Scrapbooks on James Lane Allen, 1891-1927. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Letter [manuscript], 1897. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. James Lane Allen letters, 1920. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Autograph letter signed : Naples, to Dr. Baldwin, 1905 Nov. 25. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Knight, Grant C. (Grant Cochran), 1893-1956. Grant C. Knight papers, 1924-1955. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn James Lane Allen collection, [189?̲-196?̲]. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky Guide Project Office
referencedIn Fox family. Fox family papers, 1852-1962, 1852-1920 (bulk dates). University of Kentucky Libraries
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Oration of "Peter's proposal" [manuscript], post 1891. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. To John N. Hilliard 1896 January 14 letter. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Letters, a newspaper clipping, and an envelope, 1894-1900. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Rothert, Otto Arthur, 1871-1956. Otto Arthur Rothert : miscellaneous papers, 1910-1921. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Howells family papers, 1850-1954 (inclusive). Houghton Library
referencedIn James Lane Allen Collection, 1921-1966 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Autographs. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company. Houghton Mifflin Company reader reports on manuscripts submitted for publication. 1882-1931. Houghton Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Autograph [manuscript], n.d. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Autograph letter signed : New York, to Miss Margaret Lee (d. 1914), 1900 Jan. 11. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Papers, 1916-1933. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky Guide Project Office
referencedIn Coleman, J. Winston (John Winston), 1898-1983. J. Winston Coleman scrapbooks, 1799-1983. University of Kentucky Libraries
creatorOf Mitchell, S. Weir (Silas Weir), 1829-1914. S. Weir Mitchell collection, 1861-1935. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Autograph letter signed James Lane Allen to: Thos.[?] Hawkins June 10, 1909. Wellesley College
referencedIn Morgan family. Morgan family papers, 1856-1940. University of Kentucky Libraries
creatorOf James Lane Allen letter to Mrs. Mary J. Justice, 1897 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Willcox, Louise Collier, 1865-1919. Papers of Louise Collier Willcox, 1870-1933. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Thomas Bird Mosher papers, 1890-1939 (inclusive) 1895-1924 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Townsend, John Wilson, 1885-1968. John Wilson Townsend : papers, 1893-1949. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Lowell : autograph manuscript appreciation of James Russell Lowell signed, 1889 Feb. 17. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Wilson, James Southall, 1880-1963. Papers of James Southall Wilson [manuscript], 1904-1962. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Letters sent to Walter Hines Page from various correspondents, English period, 1876-1937. Houghton Library
referencedIn Francis James Child papers, 1842-1925. Houghton Library
referencedIn Braithwaite, William Stanley, 1878-1962. Papers, 1897-1930 Houghton Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Letter to his cousin Stoddard [manuscript], 1896 March 20. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Hunt, Joseph D. (Joseph Drummond), 1838-1920. Hunt-Bullock papers, 1822-1937 1831-1921 (bulk dates) University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Markham, Lucia Clark, 1870-1967. Lucia Clark Markham papers, 1901-1962. University of Kentucky Libraries
creatorOf Glasgow, Ellen Anderson Gholson, 1873-1945. Papers of Ellen Glasgow [manuscript], 1880-1963. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. James Lane Allen papers, 1892-1923. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Walter Hines Page letters from various correspondents, American period Houghton Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Photograph [manuscript], n.d. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Rouland, Orlando, 1871-1945. Papers, 1905-1939. Grolier Club
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Papers of James Lane Allen [manuscript] 1890-1919. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Manuscripts [manuscript], 1890-1919. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Townsend, John Wilson, 1885-1968. James Lane Allen / by John Wilson Townsend. Eastern Kentucky University, Crabbe Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Papers, 1889-1911. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Autograph collection of American writers, 1808-1970. Temple University Libraries, Paley Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Letter to [?]. [s.l.]. 1909 Dec. 28. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company correspondence and records, 1832-1944. Houghton Library
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Papers, 1881-1924. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky State Archives
creatorOf Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. James Lane Allen : miscellaneous papers, 1890-1924. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Fred A. Rosenstock autograph collection L. Tom Perry Special Collections
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aylesworth, Barton O. (Barton Orville), 1860-1933 person
associatedWith Aylesworth, Barton Orville, 1860-1933. person
associatedWith Baldwin, William Wilberforce, person
associatedWith Barnard, George Grey, 1863-1938, person
associatedWith Bliss Lane, Arthur, Mrs, person
correspondedWith Braithwaite, William Stanley, 1878-1962 person
associatedWith Cassidy, Massillon Alexander, 1856-1928. person
associatedWith Cawein, Madison Julius, 1865-1914, person
correspondedWith Century Company corporateBody
correspondedWith Child, Francis James, 1825-1896 person
associatedWith Choate, Joseph Hodges, 1832-1917 person
associatedWith Coleman, J. Winston (John Winston), 1898-1983. person
correspondedWith D. Appleton-Century Company. corporateBody
correspondedWith Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel, 1853-1935 person
associatedWith Doty, Douglas Zabriskie, 1874-1935 person
associatedWith Edgar, William C. (William Crowell), 1856-1932. person
correspondedWith Finck, Edward Bertrand, 1870-1931. person
associatedWith Fox family. family
associatedWith Gentry, Franklin Marion, d. 1957. person
associatedWith Gentry, Helen Norton Harrison. person
associatedWith Gilder, Jeannette L. (Jeannette Leonard), 1849-1916 person
associatedWith Glasgow, Ellen Anderson Gholson, 1873-1945. person
associatedWith Goodhue, Edward Solon, 1863-1935, person
associatedWith Hawkins, Thomas. person
associatedWith Hawks, Stanley, Mrs, person
associatedWith Hill, Alexander. person
associatedWith Hilliard, John N? person
correspondedWith Houghton Mifflin Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920. person
correspondedWith Howe, M. A. De Wolfe (Mark Antony De Wolfe), 1864-1960 person
associatedWith Hunt, Joseph D. (Joseph Drummond), 1838-1920. person
associatedWith Johnson Public School. corporateBody
associatedWith Johnson, Robert Underwood, 1853-1937. person
associatedWith Kinkead, Elizabeth Shelby. person
associatedWith Kinkead, Nellie. person
associatedWith Knight, Grant C. (Grant Cochran), 1893-1956. person
associatedWith Lafferty, Maude Ward, 1869-1962. person
associatedWith Lee, Margaret, 1841-1914, person
associatedWith Lexington Cemetery (Lexington, Ky.) corporateBody
associatedWith Lexington Public Library (Lexington, Ky.) corporateBody
associatedWith Lowell, James Russell, 1819-1891. person
associatedWith Markham, Edwin, 1852-1940. person
associatedWith Markham, Lucia Clark, 1870-1967. person
associatedWith McCready, John Dudley. person
associatedWith Mitchell, Clay, Rev. person
associatedWith Moore family. family
associatedWith Morgan family. family
associatedWith Mosher, Thomas Bird, 1852-1923 person
associatedWith Noe, Cotton, 1864-1953. person
associatedWith Page, Walter Hines, 1855-1918 person
associatedWith Payne, William Morton, 1858-1919 person
associatedWith Phillpotts, Eden, 1862-1960 person
associatedWith Rosenstock, Fred A., b. 1895 person
associatedWith Rothert, Otto Arthur, 1871-1956. person
correspondedWith Rouland, Minnie T. person
correspondedWith Rouland, Orlando, 1871-1945. person
associatedWith Savage, Minot J. (Minot Judson), 1841-1918. person
associatedWith St. James' Episcopal Church (Pewee Valley, Ky.). Ladies' Guild. corporateBody
associatedWith Stoddard, Charles Warren, 1843-1909, person
associatedWith Stoddart, J. M. (Joseph Marshall), 1845-1921. person
associatedWith Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896. person
associatedWith Todd, Charles Burr, b. 1849. person
associatedWith Townsend, John Wilson, 1885-1968. person
associatedWith Waldo, Harold, person
associatedWith Walker, John Brisben, 1847-1931. person
associatedWith Ward, Lydia Avery Coonley, 1845-1924. person
associatedWith Watson, Richard. person
associatedWith Wiggin, Douglas. person
associatedWith Willcox, Louise Collier, 1865-1919. person
associatedWith Wilson, James Southall, 1880-1963. person
associatedWith Wilson, Samuel M. (Samuel MacKay), 1871-1940. person
associatedWith Winter, William, 1836-1917 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Gratz Park (Lexington, Ky.)
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky--Lexington
Subject
American literature
Publishers and publishing
Authors, American
Novelists, American
Novelists, American
Authors
Authors
Copyright
Male authors, American
Memorials
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1849-12-21

Death 1925-02-18

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61v5hg4

Ark ID: w61v5hg4

SNAC ID: 44511260