Henry James
b.
New York City, NY, April 15, 1843
d.
London, England, February 28, 1916
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Henry James - distinguished novelist, critic and playwright. Considered
influential in development of the modern novel. Most of his life
was spent abroad. Born an American - died a British subject.
Good friends with Edith Wharton.
The James family arrived in Newport from Europe in early summer of 1858.
They departed for Europe in the autumn of 1859 and returned to Newport
by October 1860. They live here twice.
Henry forms valuable friendships with John La Farge and Thomas Sergeant
Perry. La Farge as a mentor, Perry as his closest friend (the grandson
of Oliver Hazard Perry [q.v.]).
Henry and Perry spent many hours at Redwood Library, their literary haven.
The two attended school at Berkeley Institute. This building still
stands - the Masonic Temple, northeast corner of Church and School Streets.
Long walks were the course of nature of Henry and T.S. Perry - 40 steps,
the Point section, big pond and strolls through the Bellevue Avenue area
(pre-development and mansions).
In the James’s second Newport stay, Henry accompanied brother William to
the studio of William Morris Hunt. William learns painting.
La Farge is involved.
The studio no longer exists. It once stood on the present day site
of the Hotel Viking’s swimming pool on Church Street. William heads
for the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard in the autumn of 1861.
On October 28, 1861, Henry participated as a volunteer in fighting a fire.
This blaze was the second major fire to hit this Newport area within a
year. At least six buildings, including barns, were consumed.
Problems compounded when hoses were not long enough to reach the Redwood
reservoir (present library grounds) across the street.
The fire was located within the city block of Old Beach Road, Liberty Street,
Tew’s Court and Memorial Boulevard. (These streets then known as Beach,
State, Tew’s and Bath respectively.)
During fire, Henry supposedly received a permanent injury. Described
by Henry as an "obscure hurt," "horrid," he never truly reveals exactly
what happened.
There has been speculation concerning the injury. Keep in mind, it
happened near the beginning of the Civil War. Henry did not serve
in this war which has raised further questions surrounding the injury.
War hits home - younger brother Garth "Wilky" wounded in battle and brought
north. Lying on stretcher just inside door of family residence, Wilky couldn’t
be moved for days for fear of further injury. He recovered and returned
to his regiment.
The James’s Newport residential locations:
Rented house at corner
of Old Beach Road and Tew’s Court (1858 City Directory).
Rented house of James McKay,
next door to the Hazard family on Kay Street. This house then known
as #13 Kay Street, once stood on the northeast corner of Kay at Brinley
Street. (Source derived from city directory and Dripps c. 1859
map. Presently side yard of I.P. Hazard House at #27 Kay Street.)
The house was moved prior to 1876 to what is now known as #64 Kay Street,
the long time Durudogen residence.
House bought in March 1862
that still stands at northwest corner of Spring Street and Lee Avenue -
presently O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home. The family removed to Boston
from here by 1864.
Henry studied Newport and its social life and drew upon it in his work.
He wrote of Newport with discrimination and affection when younger. Later,
however, much more critical of it. Over the years Henry James visited Newport
on several occasions.
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HENRY JAMES: PUBLISHED REFERENCES TO NEWPORT
"Newport" (unsigned). In The Nation, September 15, 1870.
Henry James’s earliest essay on Newport.
An International Episode. New York and London, Harper, 1902.
The long short story is set largely in Newport.
"The Sense of Newport." In Harper’s Monthly Magazine, August,
1906.
The American Scene. New York and London, Harper, 1907.
"The Sense of Newport" was reprinted in this volume.
Notes of a Son and Brother. New York, Scribner, 1914.
The Ivory Tower. New York, Scribner, 1917. The opening
scene is the "Avenue" in Newport. |
Bibliography
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