When the dark cloud that had been World War I was lifted from New York, a period of optimism and celebration ensued. A new era of creativity sprouted on New York's literary scene in which authors, journalists, whites and blacks, all played important roles.
It began with a roast. On a New York afternoon some of the most talented writers of the early 20th Century gathered together to pay tribute to Alexander Wollcot, the famed New York Times drama critic. The roast took place at the Algonquin Hotel in New York, and proved to be such an enjoyable gathering that the group met there for lunch the following day…and the day after that…and continued to do so regularly.
This group soon came to be known as the Algonquin Round Table. It consisted of a core group of members who were writers, journalists, critics, and actors. The group included Dorothy Parker, Harold Ross, Robert Benchley, Franklyn Pierce Adams, Heywood Brown, Ruth Hale, Alexander Wollcot, Harpo Marx, George Kaufman, Marc Conelly, Edna Ferber, and Robert Sherwood. This list of famous talent constituted the core group of the Round Table that arrived for lunch on a daily basis. However, other literary talents were known to drop in from time to time also.
Together, these individuals combined their talents and espoused on the literary culture of the time; each member pushing one another to be as creative as possible in their endeavors. Some of the members even collaborated on projects. For instance, George Kaufman, Edna Ferber, and Marc Connelly collaborated and wrote the stage comedies Dulcy and The Royal Family. Harold Ross, who founded the New Yorker, hired Dorothy Parker to review books, and hired Robert Benchley as a drama critic.
Not only did this group combine to make great literary creations, they also coined some of literary society's most treasured quotes. By 1925, the Algonquin Round Table was famous. It was no longer a gathering for private conversation, but a public discussion all of society wanted to hear. Some New York residents would even show up at the hotel to stare at the group through the windows from outside. One of the most memorable quotes to come out of the Round Table came from George Kaufman. When asked by a press agent, "How do I get my leading lady's name into your newspaper?" He replied, "Shoot her."
The Round Table eventually split apart with the onset of the Great Depression. Its members found that they weren't getting as much work done as they needed to, while others found other interests that led them to Hollywood. However, many believe that the break up of the group was inevitable because the commingling of so many different opinions could not live in harmony forever. This might have been the case, but while the Algonquin Round Table flourished, it made significant contributions to the New York literary culture.
The Harlem Renaissance
The most famous literary movement to occur in the 20th Century was the Harlem Renaissance, which was due to the creative endeavors of the African-American community. However, the Harlem Renaissance was more than a literary movement; it was a celebration of all aspects of African-American culture. The movement gave African-Americans an identity in a society controlled by white people. It also marked the first time in the history of the United States that the works of African-Americans were so widely read.
The most prolific writer of the Harlem Renaissance was undoubtedly Langston Hughes. Before the Harlem Renaissance had come to fruition, Hughes had already begun to make a name for himself as a poet. However, his arrival in New York rolled him into a literary explosion that was perfect for him. Hughes joined the ranks of literary talents such as Cantee Cullen, Arna Bontemps, Wallace Thurman, and Eric Walrand, among others.
Langston Hughes was blessed with a literary versatility that allowed him to write poetry, fiction, drama and essays. All of which, he won several awards for during his lifetime. Some of his most loved works include:
Not Without Laughter (1930)
The Big Sea (1940)
The Panther and the Lash (1969)
The Ways of White Folks (1934)
Hughes' works are still widely studied by academic scholars and school children all over the world.
New York Authors
New York has not only been the birthplace of literary movements, but also authors, the most famous among them being Walt Whitman. Whitman is best known for his poetry compilation Leaves of Grass, which made him the first American poet to ever garner national attention. At the time of his death in 1892, Whitman was an international celebrity, and is still considered one of the most influential American poet's today.
Another one of New York's early literary talents was Henry James. James is considered by many to be the creator of the psychological thriller. His short novel, The Turn of the Screw, is considered to be an excellent example of this. James found literary success early in his career with such novels as Roderick Hudson, Daisy Miller, The Portrait of a Lady, and The Bostonians.
During a six-year period of his life, between 1889-1895, James tried his hand as a playwright, but found very little success. He finished his career by returning to the literary medium that had treated him well -- the novel. During this period he wrote The Aspern Papers, What Maisie Knew, and The Spoils of Poynton, just to name a few.
Last, but by no means least, there is profound author Edith Wharton. Wharton's success as a writer was thrust upon her. Tired of the rigid social structures of the upper class society she had been born into, and tired of a bad marriage, she turned to writing as an outlet.
Readers of Wharton and Henry James will notice similar styles, which most critics attribute to their close friendship. Wharton published her first book, The Valley of Decision, in 1902. It was met with favorable approval from the New York literary establishment, as well as other novels that followed. However, it wasn't until she published The House of Mirth in 1905 that she gained critical approval.
Much of Wharton's writings dealt with women and many of the circumstances they faced in their lives. For this reason, Wharton remains a literary fixture in the minds of the feminist movement. However, she still holds a larger place in the heart of literary culture, both nationally and in her home state of New York, placing her on the list with the other prestigious literary talents and movements already mentioned.
