Charles Brockden Brown is one of our
earliest novelists and came from a Philadelphia, PA Quaker family.
Initially he worked in the family export business and his parents were
hoping he would go into law. Eventually Brown ended up in a circle of
New York literary professionals. Brown's novel writing from 1790-1801
and is considered exemplary of gothic fiction.
This dark style is reflected in his most popular
novel Arthur Mervyn which deals with conflicts between rural and
urban America of 1793. Also, the stress of disease (Yellow Fever
epidemic of 1793) and violence of the Pennsylvania frontierplay
significant roles in this novel. Brown's Quaker background stimulates
themes of anti violence and women's rights.
In 1810 Charles Brown died at the age of 39. His
writings have recently gained more attention and scholarship. |