John Esten Cooke, Virginian

Among Virginia writers whose careers have come to a close, John Esten Cooke holds a conspicuous place. He is by far the most voluminous, and has exerted great influence on later novelists. He is thoroughly Virginian, and is perhaps second to Poe in the intrinsic importance of his work. The chapters are: Early Life - Choosing a Profession, Gentleman and Novelist of Old Virginia, The Civil War - Soldier and Historian, The Problems of Reconstruction - Writer and Farmer, and Last Years - Conclusion, plus a Bibliography and an Index. At the time of original publication in 1922, John O. Beaty, Ph.D., was Professor of English in Southern Methodist University.