George Jean Nathan

George Jean Nathan was a prominent American critic, editor, and journalist, known for his work with H.L. Mencken on The Smart Set and The American Mercury. Nathan's career spanned over four decades, during which he interacted with notable figures such as Eugene O'Neill, Theodore Dreiser, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. His writings often appeared in publications like The New Yorker, Vanity Fair (magazine), and Esquire (magazine). Nathan's critiques and reviews were widely read and respected, earning him a reputation as a leading voice in American literary circles, alongside Edmund Wilson and Malcolm Cowley.

● Early Life and Education

George Jean Nathan was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to a family of German-American descent. He attended Cornell University, where he developed an interest in literary criticism and journalism, inspired by the works of Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw. After graduating, Nathan moved to New York City to pursue a career in writing, drawn to the city's vibrant literary scene, which included writers like Stephen Crane and Frank Norris. He began writing for various publications, including The New York Times and The New York Herald, and soon became acquainted with notable figures like Mark Twain and William Dean Howells.

● Career

Nathan's career as a critic and editor took off when he co-founded The Smart Set with H.L. Mencken in 1904. The magazine became a platform for Nathan's witty and incisive critiques, which often targeted the works of Henry James and Edith Wharton. He also wrote for other prominent publications, such as The Atlantic Monthly and Harper's Magazine, and was a regular contributor to The Nation (magazine). Nathan's association with The American Mercury, which he co-founded with Mencken in 1924, further solidified his position as a leading literary critic, alongside Van Wyck Brooks and Lewis Mumford. His writings were widely discussed and debated, with many notable authors, including Ernest Hemingway and John Dos Passos, responding to his critiques.

● Literary Criticism and Legacy

Nathan's literary criticism was known for its wit, sophistication, and intellectual rigor, often drawing comparisons to the works of T.S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf. He was a strong advocate for modernism and experimental literature, and his critiques played a significant role in shaping the American literary landscape, influencing writers like William Faulkner and John Steinbeck. Nathan's legacy as a critic and editor has been recognized by institutions like the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and his writings continue to be studied by scholars and literary critics, including Harold Bloom and Alfred Kazin. His influence can be seen in the work of later critics, such as Susan Sontag and Pauline Kael, who have followed in his footsteps as leading voices in American literary criticism.

● Personal Life

Nathan's personal life was marked by his close relationships with notable figures like Lillian Gish and Dorothy Parker, and he was a regular member of the Algonquin Round Table. He was known for his wit and humor, and his conversations were often filled with references to Shakespeare and Molière. Nathan's interests extended beyond literature, and he was an avid fan of theater and music, often attending performances at Carnegie Hall and Broadway (theater). His love of travel took him to destinations like Paris and London, where he would often meet with fellow writers and intellectuals, including James Joyce and Ezra Pound.

● Works

Nathan's writings include numerous collections of essays and critiques, such as The Critic and the Drama and The Theatre, the Drama, the Girls. He also wrote introductions to the works of Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw, and his own plays, like The Eternal Mystery, were performed on Broadway (theater). Nathan's autobiography, The Autobiography of an Attitude, provides valuable insights into his life and career, and his correspondence with notable figures like Eugene O'Neill and Theodore Dreiser has been published in various collections, offering a glimpse into the literary circles of his time, which included writers like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Nathan's works continue to be read and studied by scholars and literary critics, ensuring his legacy as a prominent figure in American literary history, alongside Edmund Wilson and Malcolm Cowley. Category:American literary critics