author
Francis F. (Francis Fisher) Browne
1843–1913
A lively voice in American letters, he helped shape literary culture in Chicago and beyond as a poet, critic, and longtime magazine editor. He is especially remembered for guiding The Dial and for writing an influential early portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
1 Audiobook
The Every-day Life of Abraham Lincoln A Narrative And Descriptive Biography With Pen-Pictures And Personal Recollections By Those Who Knew Him
by Francis F. (Francis Fisher) Browne
About the author
Born in South Halifax, Vermont, in 1843, Francis Fisher Browne became an American editor, poet, and literary critic whose career was closely tied to the growth of literary life in the Midwest. During the Civil War he served with the Forty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteers, and after the war he moved into journalism and editing.
Browne worked on several periodicals, including the Lakeside Monthly, but he is best known for editing The Dial from 1880 until his death in 1913. Under his leadership, the magazine became an important forum for books, ideas, and literary discussion. He was also active in cultural organizations such as the Chicago Literary Club and the Caxton Club.
Alongside his editorial work, Browne wrote poetry and criticism. He also authored The Every-day Life of Abraham Lincoln, a book that helped introduce many readers to Lincoln's personal character as well as his public life. Browne died in 1913, leaving behind the reputation of a steady and influential champion of American literary culture.