If you start with nothing, then you can know the value of everything. Joel Chandler Harris truly started with nothing. He learned many things from those who were better off than he. Those people showed him that the goodness of humanity prospered, when allowed to be expressed. He became one of the most famous American writers, rivaled only by a few, such as Mark Twain. Joel Chandler Harris’ childhood, adolescence, adulthood and his literary influence, helped leave an impact on the American literary community.
To fully understand someone, you must start from the beginning. J. C. Harris, was born in Eatonton, Georgia on, December 9, 1845. Just before Harris was born, his father abandoned the family and left his mother destitute. A generous benefactor by the name of Andrew Reid, decided to assist Mary and her newborn child. Dr. Reid gave she and her son a cottage behind his mansion to live in. Reid also decided to pay for J.C. Harris’ early education.
Joel Chandler Harris’ education is not what you would call traditional. As a child he went to Kate Davidson’s Academy, and later to the Eatonton Academy for boys. After those he never went to another form of a formal education. He learned mostly from first hand experience, and mentorships. His first boss, Joseph Turner, was a major influencer on his life. Turner had a expansive library at his estate, which was open for Harris to read from. He also taught Harris of many early American literatures. At the Turnword estate he had access to the slave tenants. Often Harris listened to Slave stories, he later used those stories as inspiration. Harris continued to learn from his life experiences, including all of times of working at different newspapers.
As Harris began to mature, he got his first job as a printing compositor at Turnword Estate. His boss, Joseph Turner, became somewhat of a mentor and father figure to Harris. He served there for 4 years, until it came to an abrupt end, when William Sherman, general of the Union Army, ransacked the Turnword Estate. Shortly after his Turnword career came to an end, he acquired a job as a typesetter for the Macon Telegraph. In time, he felt that his literary talents were not being cultivated at the Macon Telegraph and he soon left for new opportunities. For a short period, Harris served as the New Orlean’s Crescent Monthly’s publisher. Joel Chandler Harris then took a job as the editor of the Monroe Advertiser. From his prior successes, he was granted the job as the associate editor of the prestigious Savannah Morning News. While Harris was working there, he met and married his wife, Esther LaRose. He had two children with her at the time of the yellow fever outbreak. To escape the epidemic, he took his family and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. While waiting for the fever to die out, he was hired by the Atlanta Constitution, where he became the associate editor. While at the Atlanta Constitution, he published his most greatest literary accomplishment: Uncle Remus. He retired from journalism in 1900. Harris created the Uncle Remus Magazine, and continued to write short stories. After Harris’ successful life, he died in 1908 of acute nephritis.
Joel Chandler Harris had a major and lasting impact on American Literature. His literary influence started with over 30 poems that he published while at the Turnword estate. He wrote many famous short stories. Some of them were children stories such as Brer Rabbit. Brer Rabbit was about using intelligence instead of strength to challenge society’s malfunctions. His most widely known story collection was that of Uncle Remus. The stories of Uncle Remus were retellings of the African American stories Harris heard at the Turnword Estate. Harris also used his various jobs to write articles highlighting racial inequality and other social and political problems. All of his works soon brought him acknowledgment from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. They also had him Later on his life, he was recognized by president Theodore Roosevelt, who praised his work and his social awareness. As you can see, J.C Harris had a major impact on the American literary community.
As you can tell J.C. Harris, used his life experiences to make an incredible impact on the literary community. Even though life started out hard, he pushed through. His experiences made him into a great writer. His writings helped create a more accepting society, especially his stories about Uncle Remus. As a child I read Brer Rabbit which was also written by J.C. Harris. J.C. Harris had a rough beginning but through his hard work and dedication he made something out of himself.
