Eugene Field: A Study in Heredity and Contradictions

This book features a biographical account of the American writer Eugene Field (1850-1895), best known for his children's poetry and humorous essays. There were two Fields – the author and the man – and it is the purpose of this study to reproduce the latter as he appeared to those who knew and loved him for what he was personally for the benefit of those who have only known him through the medium of his writings. In doing this it was far from the author's intention and farther from his friendship to disturb any of the preconceptions that have been formed from the perusal of Field's works as these are the creations of something entirely apart from the man whose genius produced them.

Contents:

Pedigree

His Father's First Love-affair

The Dred Scott Case

Birth and Early Youth

Education

Choice of a Profession

Marriage and Early Domestic Life

Early Experiences in Journalism

In Denver, 1881-1883

Anecdotes of Life in Denver

Coming to Chicago

Personal Characteristics

Relations with Stage Folk

Beginning of His Literary Education

Method of Work

Nature of His Daily Work

Pedigree

Introduction to Colored Inks

Some Letters

More Letters

Publication of His First Books

His Second Visit to Europe

In the Saints' and Sinners' Corner

Political Relations

His "Auto-analysis"

Last Years

Last Days