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We now know that Mary Lewis was a formidable person
Sometimes, forgotten information about important historical figures and their connections turns up in surprising places. A little-known essay by William Dean Howells (1837-1920) is one of those places. Howells, a white writer later known as the Dean of American Letters, published "Mrs. Johnson" in The Atlantic in 1868 [PDF]. "Mrs. Johnson" was the pseudonym Howells gave to his family's Black housekeeper, Mary Lewis (1816-1868), whom he called "a subject of unique interest." But it seems neither Howells nor his wife fully understood just how uniquely interesting Mary Lewis was. from A Subject of Unique Interest: Mary Freeman Heuston Lewis and William Dean Howells [Commonplace]
posted by chavenet on Jan 23, 2026 at 12:03 AM
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This isn't really on topic, but I've long thought the "Dean of American X" nickname that certain people get was, as nicknames go, particularly weird. It explains a lot that the original was a play on the name William Dean Howells. Looking around online, I couldn't find anyone explaining the origin, some calling it a self-appellation. Anyway, this has been bugging me for at least two decades, and I'm glad I finally have an answer.
posted by Kattullus at 12:48 AM
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This was a fine essay. I really appreciate how the writer, Leslie Brunetta, integrated the flawed testimony of William Dean Howells with what was previously known about Robert Benjamin and Mary Lewis. It was also heartbreaking. Esther, drawn in just a few lines, felt very alive, and so it was sad to read about her dying at just 16.
posted by Kattullus at 2:32 AM
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William Dean Howells wrote "Christmas Every Day", popping up in holiday story anthologies and adapted for television from time to time.
posted by dr_dank at 8:26 AM
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