Blanche Willis Howard
Encyclopedia
Blanche Willis Howard (aka Blanche Willis Howard von Teufel) was a best-selling American novelist who lived most of her productive years in southern Germany. Born and raised in Bangor, Maine
, and a graduate of Bangor High School, her family (the Howards) were among the earliest settlers of that community. Her breakthrough novel was One Summer (Boston, 1875), set in the coastal town of Wiscasset, Maine. In 1877 she went to Germany on assignment to write travel articles for the Boston Evening Transcript
and stayed there the rest of her life, settling in Stuttgart
and opening a finishing school for American girls abroad. Eventually she married (in 1890) Baron von Teufel, the court physician to King Charles I of Württemberg
, thereby becoming the Baroness von Teufel. She died in Munich
in 1898.
Howard wrote a total of 14 books, most of them novels, and with the exception of One Summer, all were written in Germany and sent to Boston and New York publishers. Some were also translated into European languages. She was one of only a handful of American novelists of this era to write from abroad, the iconic example being Henry James
, and is credited with helping encourage an American enthusiasm for European travel. Her most notable books were One Year Abroad (Boston, 1877); Aunt Serena (Boston, 1881); Guenn: A Wave on the Breton Coast (Boston, 1884); Aulney Tower (Boston, 1886); Tony, the Maid (a novelette first published serially in Harper's); The Open Door (Boston and New York, 1889); and Seven on the Highway (1897), a collection of short stories. Her best novel is said to be one of her last, Dionysius the Weaver's Heart's Desire (published posthumously in 1899).
Howard was also an accomplished pianist and a friend of Richard Wagner
. Franz Liszt
is said to have complemented her playing following a performance.
Bangor, Maine
Bangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States, and the major commercial and cultural center for eastern and northern Maine...
, and a graduate of Bangor High School, her family (the Howards) were among the earliest settlers of that community. Her breakthrough novel was One Summer (Boston, 1875), set in the coastal town of Wiscasset, Maine. In 1877 she went to Germany on assignment to write travel articles for the Boston Evening Transcript
Boston Evening Transcript
The Boston Evening Transcript was a daily afternoon newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts, published from July 24, 1830, to April 30, 1941.-Beginnings:...
and stayed there the rest of her life, settling in Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
and opening a finishing school for American girls abroad. Eventually she married (in 1890) Baron von Teufel, the court physician to King Charles I of Württemberg
Charles I of Württemberg
Charles was the third King of Württemberg, from 25 June 1864 until his death in 1891.-Early life:He was born 6 March 1823 at Stuttgart, as HRH Charles Frederick Alexander, Crown Prince of Württemberg the son of William I, King of Württemberg and his third wife Pauline Therese of Württemberg .He...
, thereby becoming the Baroness von Teufel. She died in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
in 1898.
Howard wrote a total of 14 books, most of them novels, and with the exception of One Summer, all were written in Germany and sent to Boston and New York publishers. Some were also translated into European languages. She was one of only a handful of American novelists of this era to write from abroad, the iconic example being Henry James
Henry James
Henry James, OM was an American-born writer, regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. He was the son of Henry James, Sr., a clergyman, and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James....
, and is credited with helping encourage an American enthusiasm for European travel. Her most notable books were One Year Abroad (Boston, 1877); Aunt Serena (Boston, 1881); Guenn: A Wave on the Breton Coast (Boston, 1884); Aulney Tower (Boston, 1886); Tony, the Maid (a novelette first published serially in Harper's); The Open Door (Boston and New York, 1889); and Seven on the Highway (1897), a collection of short stories. Her best novel is said to be one of her last, Dionysius the Weaver's Heart's Desire (published posthumously in 1899).
Howard was also an accomplished pianist and a friend of Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
. Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
is said to have complemented her playing following a performance.