Edward Noyes Westcott Quotes

A collection of quotes by Edward Noyes Westcott.

Edward Noyes Westcott was an American author and educator, born on July 27, 1847 in Syracuse, New York. He is best known for his novel "David Harum," published in 1898, which became a popular American classic.

Westcott grew up in a literary household, with his father being a noted Methodist clergyman and his mother a writer. He attended Cornell University, where he pursued studies in engineering before switching to literature. After graduating in 1870, he worked as a newspaper correspondent and later as a teacher in various schools.

In the late 1880s, Westcott began writing "David Harum," a story set in a small New York town, depicting the life of a shrewd banker and horse-trader named David Harum. The novel became a huge success, praised for its humorous and vivid portrayal of rural American life. It sold over a million copies and was adapted into several films and a play.

Despite the massive success of his debut novel, Westcott did not publish any more works of fiction. He dedicated the latter part of his life to teaching and educational administration. He became the principal of an industrial education school in Newark, New Jersey and later served as the Superintendent of Public Schools in Montclair.

Edward Noyes Westcott passed away on March 31, 1898, shortly after the publication of "David Harum." Although he had a relatively short career as a novelist, his singular work continues to captivate readers with its keen observations of rural America and enduring characters.