Henry James

Career overview

Henry James was an American-born British writer recognized as a significant figure in 19th-century literary realism. Born in New York City on April 15, 1843, he spent the first two decades of his life alternating between America and Europe. He eventually settled in England and became a British subject in 1915. James died in London on February 28, 1916, at the age of 72. His literary career is defined by his focus on the encounters between Americans and Europeans, a theme explored throughout his series of novels.

Beyond his novels, James was an extraordinarily productive writer who published biographies, autobiographies, articles, and works of criticism. He also wrote plays, including Guy Domville, some of which were performed during his lifetime with moderate success. His body of work spans the genres of novels, novellas, and short stories, and he is associated with the movements of realism and psychological realism. His notable works include The Portrait of a Lady. Throughout his career, he accumulated 86 known credits. While the name Henry James appears in other contexts, such as a character credit in an episode of The Adventures of Robin Hood, these are distinct from the professional output of the author.