author
W. C. (William Chauncey) Bartlett
1818–1907
Drawn to journalism, preaching, and life in early California, this 19th-century writer moved through several careers before becoming known for books about the West. His work reflects both the reform spirit of his time and a deep interest in California’s landscapes and people.
1 Audiobook
A Breeze from the Woods, 2nd Ed.
by W. C. (William Chauncey) Bartlett
About the author
Born in Haddam, Connecticut, on December 30, 1818, William Chauncey Bartlett studied at Williams College and Ohio University, was admitted to the Ohio bar, and first worked as a lawyer in Dayton. He later turned to journalism, joining the Dayton Gazette, and in the 1850s and 1860s also served as a preacher, including anti-slavery work in Indianapolis and ministry in California mining towns.
After moving west, Bartlett became closely connected with California literary life. He worked with the San Francisco Bulletin and later edited the Overland Monthly, placing him among the writers and editors who helped shape how 19th-century California was described to readers.
He also wrote books of his own, including A Breeze from the Woods and a memoir of journalist Samuel Williams. Bartlett died in Oakland, California, on December 8, 1907. Although he is not widely read today, his career brings together law, religion, journalism, and western writing in a way that makes him a revealing figure of his era.