The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Frederic, Harold

FREDERIC, Harold, American novelist: b. Utica, N. Y., 19 Aug. 1856; d. Hornby, England, 19 Oct. 1898. After receiving an education in the schools of his native city, he entered the profession of journalism there, working later on papers in Albany and New York. In 1884 he was appointed London correspondent of the New York Times, retaining this position until his death. His best works were his novels, of which the two greatest are ‘In the Valley’ (1890), a historical novel of upper New York, and ‘The Damnation of Theron Ware’ (1896), a searching analysis of the life of the American bourgeoisie. Among his other novels are: ‘Seth's Brother's Wife’ (1887); ‘The Lawton Girl’ (1890); ‘The Return of O'Mahoney’ (1892); ‘The New Exodus,’ a story of Jewish life, written after his visit to Russia (1892); ‘The Copperhead’ (1894), a Civil War story, dramatized and produced with considerable success in 1917; ‘Marsena’ (1895), humorous tales; ‘March Hares’ (1896); ‘Gloria Mundi’ (1898); ‘In the Market Place’ (1899). See In the Valley.