Charles Dudley Warner
A witty essayist and novelist who co-wrote the defining satire of America's post-Civil War excess, giving an era its enduring name.
1829–1900 (age 71)·American writer·Birthday: September 12
Biography
Charles Dudley Warner carved out a distinct literary voice in 19th-century America, one of gentle wit and keen social observation. Though trained as a lawyer, he found his calling in journalism and letters, becoming a popular columnist for the Hartford Courant. His friendship with neighbor Mark Twain proved historic; their collaborative novel, 'The Gilded Age,' was a sharp satire of political corruption and speculative frenzy that branded an entire period. Warner's own essays, collected in volumes like 'My Summer in a Garden,' showcased his warm, conversational style and love for nature and simple pleasures, influencing a generation of American essayists. He was a central figure in the Hartford literary scene, advocating for copyright reform and proving that a writer could be both commercially successful and deeply thoughtful.
#1 When Charles Was Born
The biggest hits of 1829
Charles's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1829Born
1834Started school
1842Became a teenager
1845Could drive
1847Could vote
1850Turned 21
1859Turned 30
1869Turned 40
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1879Turned 50
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
1889Turned 60
Eiffel Tower opens in Paris
President: Benjamin Harrison
1899Turned 70
President: William McKinley
1900Died at 71
Boxer Rebellion in China
President: William McKinley
Key Achievements
- Co-authored the novel 'The Gilded Age' with Mark Twain, a work that named a critical period in American history.
- Served as the first president of the American Copyright League, advocating for authors' rights.
- Wrote the influential essay collection 'My Summer in a Garden,' a classic of American nature writing.
- Was a long-time editor and columnist for the Hartford Courant, shaping American newspaper journalism.
Did You Know?
The famous phrase "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it" is often misattributed to Mark Twain but first appeared in one of Warner's editorials.
He was one of the founders of the National Institute of Arts and Letters, which later became the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Before his literary career, he worked as a railroad surveyor and practiced law in Chicago.
“Politics makes strange bedfellows.”
