Brander Matthews
James Brander Matthews was an American academic, writer and literary critic. He was the first full-time professor of dramatic literature at Columbia University in New York and played a significant role in establishing theater as a subject worthy of formal study by academics. His interests ranged from Shakespeare, Molière, and Ibsen to French boulevard comedies, folk theater, and the new realism of his own time.
Inquiries and Opinions
Explore a collection of essays that reflect on the intersection of literature and major societal transformations at the start of the 20th century.
By Brander Matthews
Vistas of New York
In a bustling metropolis, a young man chases after success while his heart yearns for the one he left behind.
By Brander Matthews
Tales of Fantasy and Fact
Hop aboard a ghostly ship for a tour of legendary lands where reality blurs.
By Brander Matthews
Playwrights on playmaking : $b and other studies of the stage
Explore the timeless principles of playwriting through insightful essays that reveal the intricate relationship between playwrights, audiences, and the stage.
By Brander Matthews
Parts of Speech: Essays on English
Discover how the voices and stories of its speakers shape English, linking modern expression to its ancient roots and ever-evolving identity.
By Brander Matthews
A Book About the Theater
Explore the historical stage through the eyes of a dramatic literature professor as he examines acting, audience engagement, and the spectacle of performance.
By Brander Matthews
In Partnership: Studies in story-telling
Unravel the interwoven complexities of heritage and debt through unearthed documents, revealing the profound impact of personal histories on the art of storytelling.
By Brander Matthews
Americanisms and Briticisms; with other essays on other isms
Explore how language divides and defines cultures, as regional expressions and historical tensions shape the ever-evolving tapestry of English.
By Brander Matthews
Vignettes of Manhattan; Outlines in Local Color
Experience a bygone New York through character portraits.
By Brander Matthews