Stuart Pratt Sherman

author

Stuart Pratt Sherman

1881–1926

A sharp-eyed critic and essayist of the early 20th century, this American man of letters helped shape public conversations about books, culture, and education. His writing brought literary criticism to a wide audience while keeping a lively, readable style.

1 Audiobook

My dear Cornelia

My dear Cornelia

by Stuart Pratt Sherman

About the author

Born in Anita, Iowa, in 1881, Stuart Pratt Sherman became an influential American literary critic, educator, and essayist. He studied at Williams College and later taught English at the University of Illinois, where he built a reputation as a thoughtful and outspoken voice in literary life.

Sherman wrote criticism for both academic and general readers, and he was known for treating literature as something connected to everyday culture rather than a narrow specialist subject. Over time he became especially visible through collections of essays and reviews, as well as his work as a public commentator on books and ideas.

He died in 1926, relatively young, but his influence lasted through his criticism, teaching, and published essays. His career reflects a period when literary critics could play a major role in national cultural debate, helping readers think more clearly about writers, values, and the place of literature in modern life.