"Carlyle's Laugh and Other Surprises" by Thomas Wentworth Higginson is a compilation of essays and observations that examines significant people and events in American literature. The collection, most likely written in the early 1900s, uses Higginson's own experiences and insights to investigate the subtleties of various authors, focusing particularly on the essence of Thomas Carlyle, as experienced by the writer. The book begins by forging a personal link between Higginson and Thomas Carlyle, emphasizing Carlyle's distinctive laugh, which Higginson depicts as a window into his personality. The narrative describes Higginson's initial reluctance to meet Carlyle, due to Carlyle's reputation, but upon meeting him, he discovers a pleasant, authentic side that contradicts Carlyle's well-known persona. This introduction paves the way for a more thorough examination of literary characters and comments, demonstrating how humor and humanity underpin the complexity of well-known individuals in literature.
Carlyle's laugh, and other surprises
By Thomas Wentworth Higginson
Discover surprising personal stories and humorous encounters with famous American authors, revealing unexpected sides of complex literary figures.
Summary
About the AuthorThomas Wentworth Higginson, who went by the name Wentworth, was an American Unitarian minister, author, abolitionist, politician, and soldier. He was active in abolitionism in the United States during the 1840s and 1850s, identifying himself with disunion and militant abolitionism. He was a member of the Secret Six who supported John Brown. During the Civil War, he served as colonel of the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, the first federally authorized black regiment, from 1862 to 1864. Following the war, he wrote about his experiences with African-American soldiers and devoted much of the rest of his life to fighting for the rights of freed people, women, and other disfranchised peoples. He is also remembered as a mentor to poet Emily Dickinson.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson, who went by the name Wentworth, was an American Unitarian minister, author, abolitionist, politician, and soldier. He was active in abolitionism in the United States during the 1840s and 1850s, identifying himself with disunion and militant abolitionism. He was a member of the Secret Six who supported John Brown. During the Civil War, he served as colonel of the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, the first federally authorized black regiment, from 1862 to 1864. Following the war, he wrote about his experiences with African-American soldiers and devoted much of the rest of his life to fighting for the rights of freed people, women, and other disfranchised peoples. He is also remembered as a mentor to poet Emily Dickinson.
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