Births on February 14

Frank Harris, Irish author and journalist (d. 1931)

Frank Harris (14 February 1855 – 26 August 1931) was a prominent and often controversial Irish-American figure who left an indelible mark as an editor, novelist, short story writer, journalist, and publisher. Throughout his eventful life, he cultivated friendships with many of the era's most celebrated literary and artistic personalities, a testament to his charismatic yet often abrasive character.

Early Life, Emigration, and Education

Born in Galway, Ireland, Harris's journey began with a transatlantic move to the United States early in his life. Like many immigrants of his time, he initially found himself working a variety of unskilled jobs, including roles as a cowboy, hotel clerk, and even a laborer in the nascent American West, experiences that undoubtedly shaped his rugged individualism. Despite these humble beginnings, his intellectual ambition propelled him towards academia. He enrolled at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, around 1874-1875, where he pursued the study of law. This period was crucial for his intellectual development, providing him with a formal education that contrasted sharply with his earlier manual labor. However, upon graduation, Harris quickly grew disenchanted with the legal profession, finding its confines too restrictive for his restless spirit.

Return to Europe and the Pinnacle of Journalism

In 1882, seeking new horizons and intellectual stimulation, Harris returned to Europe. He spent time traveling across continental Europe, immersing himself in diverse cultures and engaging with European intellectual currents, before ultimately settling in London. It was in the vibrant literary and journalistic milieu of late Victorian and Edwardian London that Harris truly found his calling. He rapidly ascended the ranks of British journalism, becoming a highly influential editor of several prestigious periodicals. His tenure at publications such as The Evening News (1883-1886), The Fortnightly Review (1886-1894), and most notably, The Saturday Review (1894-1898), cemented his reputation. At The Saturday Review, Harris transformed the struggling weekly into a leading intellectual and literary journal, attracting contributions from eminent writers and critics. He was known for his discerning eye for talent, often giving early breaks to figures who would later become titans of literature. For instance, he notably published early works by H.G. Wells and frequently championed the dramatic criticism of George Bernard Shaw, who famously described Harris as "a most interesting man, one who would have made a good subject for a biography".

Literary Pursuits and Illustrious Friendships

Beyond his editorial prowess, Harris was a prolific writer himself, producing novels, short stories, and biographies. His literary output included collections like Elder Conklin and Other Stories (1894) and the ambitious biographical study The Man Shakespeare and His Tragic Life Story (1909). His extensive network of acquaintances and close friendships with some of the most prominent figures of his day was legendary. These included literary giants such as Oscar Wilde, Guy de Maupassant, Rudyard Kipling, Thomas Carlyle, Robert Browning, and the aforementioned George Bernard Shaw. Harris's relationships were often complex; while he could be a staunch advocate, his notoriously irascible and aggressive personality also led to public spats and enduring controversies. His close, albeit often turbulent, friendship with Oscar Wilde profoundly impacted his work, leading to his well-known biography, Oscar Wilde: His Life and Confessions (1916), which, despite its biases and occasional factual inaccuracies, remains an important and often cited source on Wilde's life.

Later Years, American Citizenship, and Enduring Controversy

In his sixties, after decades spent primarily in Europe, Frank Harris officially became a United States citizen in 1921, reaffirming his American ties. Though he attracted considerable attention during his lifetime for his forceful personality, his editorial acumen, and his remarkable social circle, his legacy is predominantly defined by his controversial, multi-volume memoir, My Life and Loves. Published in four volumes between 1922 and 1927, primarily in privately printed editions in France to circumvent censorship, this autobiography was immediately met with international outrage. Its candid and often graphic descriptions of his sexual encounters and the sexual lives of his contemporaries led to its being banned in numerous countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, for decades. The work was considered scandalous for its sexual explicitness, particularly during the more conservative early 20th century. Despite the moral condemnation and its often embellished narratives, My Life and Loves offered a unique, if unreliable, glimpse into the cultural and sexual mores of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, securing Harris's posthumous reputation, albeit as a figure of infamy for some and daring candor for others.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frank Harris

Who was Frank Harris?

Frank Harris was an Irish-American editor, novelist, short story writer, journalist, and publisher (1855–1931). He was known for his influential editorial roles in London, his extensive literary output, his friendships with many famous figures, and his controversial, sexually explicit memoir, My Life and Loves.

What made Frank Harris famous during his lifetime?

During his life, Harris was famous for his powerful personality, his successful editorship of prominent British periodicals like The Saturday Review, his literary works, and his close associations with leading writers and artists such as Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.

Why is My Life and Loves so significant and controversial?

My Life and Loves is Harris's multi-volume memoir, published between 1922 and 1927. It gained notoriety for its frank and often graphic accounts of his sexual experiences and observations, leading to its banning in many countries for decades. Despite its controversial nature and embellishments, it is a key, if unreliable, document of early 20th-century social history and sexual attitudes.

Which famous publications did Frank Harris edit?

Frank Harris edited several significant publications, including The Evening News, The Fortnightly Review, and most notably, The Saturday Review, where he was instrumental in its rise as a leading literary journal.

When did Frank Harris become a US citizen?

Frank Harris became a US citizen in 1921, despite having spent a significant portion of his adult life living and working in Europe.