William Dean Howells

William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was an American author, literary critic, and editor known as the 'Dean of American Letters.' He was a leading figure in the American Realist movement, advocating for literature that was true to life and focused on everyday middle-class experiences. Howells was influential in promoting other writers such as Henry James and Mark Twain and served as the first president of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.