F. Marion Crawford

An American Politician

A Novel

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

An American Politician: A Novel (1884) is a work by Francis Marion Crawford, an American writer known for his novels and stories set in various international locales. Though Crawford spent much of his life in Europe, this novel focuses on American politics and society in the late 19th century. The story follows the political and romantic entanglements of its characters, particularly John Harrington, a principled and ambitious politician. The novel explores themes of power, corruption, idealism, and love, set against the backdrop of Boston's high society and Washington's political machinations. Key Themes Political Ambition vs. Integrity - The protagonist struggles with maintaining his moral compass while navigating the cutthroat world of politics. Class and Society - The novel critiques the elitism and social expectations of Gilded Age America. Romantic Entanglements - Personal relationships complicate political ambitions, particularly through Harrington's interactions with women like Sybil Brandon and Josephine Thorn. American Democracy - The book questions whether true democracy can survive in a system dominated by wealth and influence. While not as famous as Crawford's Italian-set novels (like Saracinesca), An American Politician offers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century U.S. political culture. Some critics found it overly didactic, but others praised its sharp social commentary. About the Author Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was a prolific American writer, best known for his numerous novels and classic weird and fantastical stories. Born in Italy, he spent much of his life abroad, particularly in Italy, which became the setting for many of his works. Crawford was born in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, the only son of American sculptor Thomas Crawford. He received a diverse education, studying at St. Paul's School, Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Rome. In 1879, he traveled to India, where he studied Sanskrit and edited the Allahabad Indian Herald. Upon returning to America, he continued his Sanskrit studies at Harvard and contributed to various periodicals. His literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, Mr. Isaacs (1882), which quickly achieved success. This was followed by Doctor Claudius (1883). In 1883, he returned to Italy, where he resided permanently, eventually purchasing and remodeling the Villa Renzi, which became Villa Crawford, in Sant'Agnello. He also wrote historical works, including Ave Roma Immortalis (1898) and The Rulers of the South (1900). Crawford was incredibly prolific, producing some forty novels and a play. At the height of his career, his books outsold those of any other contemporary fiction writer in England or the United States. He died in 1909 in Sorrento, Italy.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bibliotech Press
• Seitenzahl: 152
• Erscheinungstermin: 25. Juni 2025
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 229mm x 152mm x 9mm
• Gewicht: 258g
• ISBN-13: 9798897731565
• Artikelnr.: 74805537

Autorenporträt

Francis Marion Crawford was an American author who lived from August 2, 1854, to April 9, 1909. He was famous for his many books, especially those set in Italy, and his classic weird and fantastical stories. He was born on August 2, 1854, in Bagni di Lucca, which is in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. He was the only child of American artist Thomas Crawford and his wife, Louisa Cutler Ward. His sister was the author Mary Crawford Fraser, also known as Mrs. Hugh Fraser, and his nephew was the American artist Julia Ward Howe. After his dad died in 1857, his mom got married again to Luther Terry. They had a daughter together, Margaret Ward Terry, who later married Winthrop Astor Chanler and was Crawford's half-sister. He went to school at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg, and finally the University of Rome. He went to India in 1879 to study Sanskrit and was the editor of The Indian Herald in Allahabad. When he got back to the United States in February 1881, he continued to study Sanskrit at Harvard University for another year. During that time, he also wrote for a number of magazines, mostly The Critic, for two years. Early in 1882, he became close friends with Isabella Stewart Gardner, a friend he would keep for life.