Martins Ferry in Belmont County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William Dean Howells
⎯⎯⎯
James Arlington Wright
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2010
1. William Dean Howells Marker (Side A)
Side A: William Dean Howells
"The Dean of American Letters"
Author, editor, and social critic William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was born in Martins Ferry, the son of an itinerant printer and publisher. Self-educated, Howells learned the printer's craft early and took up journalism, rising to city editor of the Ohio State Journal (Columbus) in 1858. From 1871 to 1881, he was editor of the Atlantic Monthly magazine, a position of enormous influence in American literary tastes. Howells championed the work of Emily Dickenson, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Stephen Crane, as well as several others. A prolific writer himself, he published over one hundred works. Howells is best known for his realistic fiction, including A Modern Instance (1882) and The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885). Many of his novels reflect his Ohio roots.
Side B: Poet James Arlington Wright
James Arlington Wright was born in Martins Ferry on December 13, 1927. Wright's early life during the depression years was difficult, but he graduated as valedictorian from Martins Ferry High School in 1946. Wright later taught at the University of Minnesota and Hunter College (NY). A prolific writer, Wright published numerous books and volumes of his poetry, many of which included people and settings from Martins Ferry. In
this page online
Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Longaberger Company, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 12-7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Education. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1904.
Location. 40° 5.802′ N, 80° 43.465′ W. Marker is in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in Belmont County. It is at the intersection of 5th Street (James Wright Way) and Hanover Street (Ohio Route 647), on the left when traveling south on 5th Street (James Wright Way). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Martins Ferry OH 43935, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Members of The Martins Ferry Hall Of Honor (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church Bell (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Isaac G. Vickers (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War I Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2010
2. James Arlington Wright Marker (Side B)
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Howells spent his formative years in Hamilton, Ohio.
Also see . . .
1. William Dean Howells. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 12, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. James Wright. Poets website entry (Submitted on February 28, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
via Wikipedia
3. William Dean Howells
via Poets, unknown
4. James Arlington Wright
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2010
5. William Dean Howells / James Arlington Wright Marker
Looking north toward Hanover Street.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 2, 2014
6. William Dean Howells Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,364 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on October 12, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on March 10, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 6. submitted on November 2, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
