Southern Literary Messenger
Encyclopedia
The Southern Literary Messenger was a periodical published in Richmond
, Virginia
, from 1834 until June 1864. Each issue carried a subtitle of "Devoted to Every Department of Literature and the Fine Arts" or some variation and included poetry, fiction, non-fiction, reviews, and historical notes. It was founded by Thomas Willis White who served as publisher and occasional editor until his death in 1843.
White hired Edgar Allan Poe
in 1835 as a staff writer and critic. Others involved with the periodical included Matthew Fontaine Maury
and Maury's kinsman Benjamin Blake Minor
. It ended in June 1864 in part due to Richmond's involvement in the American Civil War
.
Edgar Allan Poe
served as an editor for a time (see below). After his departure, White resumed editorial duties before hiring Lieutenant Matthew Fontaine Maury
USN as editor from 1840 to 1843. Upon White's death in 1843, Benjamin Blake Minor
served as editor and publisher from August 1843 to October 1847.
Writing contributions to the journal, as well as a loss of subscriptions, led to its cancellation in June 1864. As was explained editorially in that issue, the press in Richmond (and the town in general) had been thrown into considerable disarray due to the American Civil War
.
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The Southern Literary Messenger featured poems, fiction, non-fiction, translations, reviews, legal articles, and Virginia
historical notes. Each issue carried the subtitle
"Devoted to Every Department of Literature and the Fine Arts" or some variation of it. The periodical was published approximately monthly, and it initially had subscribed mostly readers in the north but it picked up southern readers and writers over time as more southerners wrote articles to be published, as is stated in an 1840 issue of the Messenger. James E. Heath, the first editor of the Southern Literary Messenger wrote:
In February 1861, the Southern Literary Messenger defended the secession movement by publishing an article by William H. Holcombe, a doctor, entitled "The Alternative: A Separate Nationality, or the Africanization of the South."
was hired as a staff writer and critic in August 1835, possibly based on a recommendation to White from John Pendleton Kennedy
.
Just a month later, White fired Poe, allegedly for his drinking habits, but rehired him in October. By December, Poe was made editor of the journal. While working for the Messenger, Poe published 37 reviews of American and foreign books and periodicals, cementing his place as a premier critic in the United States.
Poe was proud of his accomplishments with the journal and may have aided in a large jump in subscribers
. In a letter years later in 1844, Poe wrote that he began working when the Messenger had about 700 subscribers, and left when it had 5,500 paying subscribers.
Besides criticism, Poe published many first printings of his now famous works in the Messenger, including the controversial "Berenice
", "Morella
" and, in installments, parts of his only novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket
. Poe left the magazine with the January 1837 issue but still contributed works even after White's death.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, from 1834 until June 1864. Each issue carried a subtitle of "Devoted to Every Department of Literature and the Fine Arts" or some variation and included poetry, fiction, non-fiction, reviews, and historical notes. It was founded by Thomas Willis White who served as publisher and occasional editor until his death in 1843.
White hired Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
in 1835 as a staff writer and critic. Others involved with the periodical included Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury , United States Navy was an American astronomer, historian, oceanographer, meteorologist, cartographer, author, geologist, and educator....
and Maury's kinsman Benjamin Blake Minor
Benjamin Blake Minor
Benjamin Blake Minor was an American writer, educator, legal scholar, and fourth President of the University of Missouri, from 1860-1862. Today, he is most known as the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger. He also compiled the second edition of the reports of the decisions of George Wythe,...
. It ended in June 1864 in part due to Richmond's involvement in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
History
The Southern Literary Messenger first appeared in August 1834 with Thomas Willis White as publisher. In the inaugural issue Willis stated that his aim was "to stimulate the pride and genius of the south, and awaken from its long slumber the literary exertion of this portion of our country." This was in reference to the fact that at the time most magazines were published in Boston, New York and Philadelphia.Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
served as an editor for a time (see below). After his departure, White resumed editorial duties before hiring Lieutenant Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury , United States Navy was an American astronomer, historian, oceanographer, meteorologist, cartographer, author, geologist, and educator....
USN as editor from 1840 to 1843. Upon White's death in 1843, Benjamin Blake Minor
Benjamin Blake Minor
Benjamin Blake Minor was an American writer, educator, legal scholar, and fourth President of the University of Missouri, from 1860-1862. Today, he is most known as the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger. He also compiled the second edition of the reports of the decisions of George Wythe,...
served as editor and publisher from August 1843 to October 1847.
Writing contributions to the journal, as well as a loss of subscriptions, led to its cancellation in June 1864. As was explained editorially in that issue, the press in Richmond (and the town in general) had been thrown into considerable disarray due to the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Editors
- James E. Heath
- Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
- Lieut. Matthew Fontaine MauryMatthew Fontaine MauryMatthew Fontaine Maury , United States Navy was an American astronomer, historian, oceanographer, meteorologist, cartographer, author, geologist, and educator....
, U. S. N. - Benjamin Blake MinorBenjamin Blake MinorBenjamin Blake Minor was an American writer, educator, legal scholar, and fourth President of the University of Missouri, from 1860-1862. Today, he is most known as the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger. He also compiled the second edition of the reports of the decisions of George Wythe,...
- John R. ThompsonJohn R. ThompsonJohn Richardson Thompson was one of the seven founders of the The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry.-Biography:...
- Dr. George William BagbyGeorge William BagbyGeorge William Bagby was an American humorist.-Biography:Babgy was born in Buckingham County, Virginia to George Bagby and Virginia Evans. He attended Delaware College and the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied medicine...
Content
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
historical notes. Each issue carried the subtitle
Subtitle (titling)
In books and other works, a subtitle is an explanatory or alternate title. For example, Mary Shelley used a subtitle to give her most famous novel, Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus, an alternate title to give a hint of the theme. In library cataloging the subtitle does not include an...
"Devoted to Every Department of Literature and the Fine Arts" or some variation of it. The periodical was published approximately monthly, and it initially had subscribed mostly readers in the north but it picked up southern readers and writers over time as more southerners wrote articles to be published, as is stated in an 1840 issue of the Messenger. James E. Heath, the first editor of the Southern Literary Messenger wrote:
From our Northern and Eastern friends we have received more complimentary notices than from any of our Southern brethren without the limits of our own State. We say this not in a reproachful spirit, but in a somewhat sad conviction of mind, that we who live on the sunny side of Mason and Dixon's line are not yet sufficiently inspired with a sense of importance of maintaining our just rights, or rather our proper representation in the Republic of Letters.
In February 1861, the Southern Literary Messenger defended the secession movement by publishing an article by William H. Holcombe, a doctor, entitled "The Alternative: A Separate Nationality, or the Africanization of the South."
Involvement of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
was hired as a staff writer and critic in August 1835, possibly based on a recommendation to White from John Pendleton Kennedy
John P. Kennedy
John Pendleton Kennedy was an American novelist and Whig politician who served as United States Secretary of the Navy from July 26, 1852 to March 4, 1853, during the administration of President Millard Fillmore, and as a U.S. Representative from the Maryland's 4th congressional district. He was...
.
Just a month later, White fired Poe, allegedly for his drinking habits, but rehired him in October. By December, Poe was made editor of the journal. While working for the Messenger, Poe published 37 reviews of American and foreign books and periodicals, cementing his place as a premier critic in the United States.
Poe was proud of his accomplishments with the journal and may have aided in a large jump in subscribers
Subscription business model
The subscription business model is a business model where a customer must pay a subscription price to have access to the product/service. The model was pioneered by magazines and newspapers, but is now used by many businesses and websites....
. In a letter years later in 1844, Poe wrote that he began working when the Messenger had about 700 subscribers, and left when it had 5,500 paying subscribers.
Besides criticism, Poe published many first printings of his now famous works in the Messenger, including the controversial "Berenice
Berenice (short story)
"Berenice" is a short horror story by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in the Southern Literary Messenger in 1835. The story follows a man named Egaeus who is preparing to marry his cousin Berenice. He has a tendency to fall into periods of intense focus during which he seems to separate himself...
", "Morella
Morella
"Morella" is a short story in the Gothic horror genre by 19th-century American author and critic Edgar Allan Poe.-Plot summary:An unnamed narrator marries Morella, a woman with great scholarly knowledge who delves into studies of the German philosophers Fichte and Schelling, dealing with the...
" and, in installments, parts of his only novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket is the only complete novel written by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. The work relates the tale of the young Arthur Gordon Pym, who stows away aboard a whaling ship called the Grampus...
. Poe left the magazine with the January 1837 issue but still contributed works even after White's death.
See also
Other American journals that Edgar Allan Poe was involved with include:- American Review: A Whig JournalAmerican Review: A Whig JournalThe American Review, alternatively known as The American Review: A Whig Journal and The American Whig Review, was a New York City-based monthly periodical. Published by Wiley and Putnam, it was owned and operated by George H. Colton.-History:...
- Broadway JournalBroadway JournalThe Broadway Journal was a short-lived New York City-based periodical founded by Charles Frederick Briggs and John Bisco in 1844. A year later, the publication was bought by Edgar Allan Poe, becoming the only magazine he ever owned, though it failed after only a few months under his...
- Burton's Gentleman's MagazineBurton's Gentleman's MagazineBurton's Gentleman's Magazine or, more simply, Burton's Magazine, was a literary publication published in Philadelphia in 1837-1841. Its founder was William Evans Burton, an English-born immigrant to the United States who also managed a theatre and was a minor actor.-Overview:The magazine included...
- Godey's Lady's BookGodey's Lady's BookGodey's Lady's Book, alternatively known as Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book, was a United States magazine which was published in Philadelphia. It was the most widely circulated magazine in the period before the Civil War. Its circulation rose from 70,000 in the 1840s to 150,000 in 1860...
- Graham's MagazineGraham's MagazineGraham's Magazine was a nineteenth century periodical based in Philadelphia established by George Rex Graham. It was alternatively referred to as Graham's Lady's and Gentleman's Magazine , Graham's Magazine of Literature and Art , Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature and Art Graham's...
- The StylusThe StylusThe Stylus, originally intended to be named The Penn, was a would-be periodical owned and edited by Edgar Allan Poe. It had long been a dream of Poe to establish an American journal with very high standards in order to elevate the literature of the time...
External links
- Southern Literary Messenger at University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, complete archive. - Southern Literary Messenger at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
, various volumes (scanned books original editions color illustrated) - Wm. H. Holcombe, M.D., "The Alternative: A Separate Nationality, or the Africanization of the South," Southern Literary Messenger, February 1861
- Periodical facts and list of names and editors from Baltimore POE Society