author
J. H. (John Hays) Gardiner
1863–1913
A Harvard English teacher and editor with a gift for making writing practical, he helped generations of students think more clearly about prose, argument, and literature. His books blend classroom clarity with a broad love of English style.
1 Audiobook
The Making of Arguments
by J. H. (John Hays) Gardiner
About the author
John Hays Gardiner was an American writer, teacher, and editor born in Gardiner, Maine, on April 6, 1863. He studied at Harvard, earned his A.B. in 1885, and later became a member of the English department there. He also worked as editor of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin.
Gardiner is best remembered for books that brought literary study and composition together, including The Forms of Prose Literature, The Bible as English Literature, and The Making of Arguments. His work was aimed at students and general readers, and it is still noted for being direct, usable, and grounded in careful reading.
He died in Boston on May 14, 1913, at the age of 50. A memorial volume, Harvard, was published after his death, reflecting the strong connection he had to the university as both alumnus and teacher.