Ernest Hunter Wright

Ernest Hunter Wright was a prominent American professor and literary critic, known for his work at Columbia University and his contributions to the field of American literature. Wright's academic career was marked by his associations with notable institutions such as the Modern Language Association and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His work was influenced by scholars like Van Wyck Brooks and Malcolm Cowley, and he was a contemporary of critics like Lionel Trilling and Edmund Wilson. Wright's expertise spanned the works of authors such as Herman Melville, Mark Twain, and William Faulkner.

● Early Life and Education

Ernest Hunter Wright was born in the United States and pursued his higher education at Yale University, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He then went on to earn his graduate degree from Harvard University, under the guidance of scholars like George Lyman Kittredge and Irving Babbitt. Wright's academic background was rooted in the study of English literature, with a focus on American studies and the works of authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edith Wharton. His education was also influenced by the intellectual movements of the time, including the New Humanism and the Lost Generation.

● Career

Wright began his academic career as a professor at Columbia University, where he taught courses on American literature and literary criticism. He was a member of the Columbia University Faculty and was associated with the Institute for Social Research. Wright's career was marked by his involvement with various academic organizations, including the American Studies Association and the Modern Language Association. He was also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters. Wright's work was influenced by scholars like Matthew Josephson and Newton Arvin, and he was a contemporary of critics like Alfred Kazin and Granville Hicks.

● Contributions to Literature

Ernest Hunter Wright made significant contributions to the field of American literature through his scholarly work and criticism. He was particularly known for his studies on the works of authors like Herman Melville and Mark Twain, and his analysis of the American Renaissance. Wright's work was also influenced by the intellectual movements of the time, including the New Criticism and the Southern Renaissance. He was a contemporary of scholars like Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren, and his work was associated with the Fugitive poets and the Southern Agrarians. Wright's contributions to literature were recognized by his peers, and he was awarded the Christian Gauss Award for his work on American literary history.

● Personal Life

Ernest Hunter Wright's personal life was marked by his associations with various intellectual and literary figures of his time. He was a friend and colleague of scholars like Lionel Trilling and Diana Trilling, and was associated with the New York Intellectuals. Wright's personal life was also influenced by his interests in music and art, and he was a patron of the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was a member of the Century Association and the Grolier Club, and was known for his love of rare books and literary manuscripts. Wright's personal life was also marked by his travels to Europe and his interest in European literature, particularly the works of authors like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.

● Legacy

Ernest Hunter Wright's legacy is marked by his contributions to the field of American literature and his influence on generations of scholars and critics. His work on authors like Herman Melville and Mark Twain remains seminal, and his analysis of the American Renaissance continues to be studied by scholars today. Wright's legacy is also associated with the intellectual movements of his time, including the New Criticism and the Southern Renaissance. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters, and his work was recognized by his peers through awards like the Christian Gauss Award. Wright's legacy continues to be felt in the academic community, and his work remains an important part of the canon of American literary criticism. Category:American literary critics