Children of the Market Place

Name: Children of the Market Place
Author: Edgar Lee Masters

By Edgar Lee Masters

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American Literature Novels

About This Book

A first-person narrator recounts his life from birth in London during the Napoleonic era through an English upbringing and education, the loss of his mother, and an inherited estate that sends him to the American Midwest. He reflects on political and intellectual currents in Europe, the ocean voyage to America, and confrontations with contrasting attitudes there toward slavery and social order. The narrative traces his settlement in Illinois amid epidemics and community upheaval, blending personal memory, social observation, and cultural critique across episodic chapters that follow decades of experience.

About the Author

Edgar Lee Masters

Edgar Lee Masters was an American poet, biographer, and playwright, best known for his groundbreaking work, "Spoon River Anthology," published in 1915. This collection of free verse epitaphs captures the voices of the deceased residents of a fictional small town, offering profound insights into life, death, and the human condition. Masters' innovative approach to poetry and storytelling has left a lasting impact on American literature, influencing generations of writers. In addition to his poetry, he wrote several other notable works, including "Children of the Market Place" and "Domesday Book," showcasing his versatility as a literary figure.