Augustus Baldwin Longstreet, Master William Mitten: or, A Youth of Brilliant Talents, Who Was Ruined by Bad Luck

David Rachels (Newberry College)
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Master William Mitten: or, A Youth of Brilliant Talents, Who Was Ruined by Bad Luck

(1859) is the only novel by Augustus Baldwin Longstreet, who is better known for his story collection,

Georgia Scenes, Characters, Incidents, Etc. in the First Half Century of the Republic

(1835). Longstreet began to write this novel in 1849 while serving as president of Centenary College in Jackson, Louisiana. He took, as his inspiration, “the over-indulgent mothers and unruly youth” of the college. The novel-in-progress fell by the wayside, however, when Longstreet left Centenary after only five months.

Longstreet completed Master William Mitten in 1859 when it was serialised in the recently founded Southern Field and Fireside. The novel, which appeared in book form in 1864, has been held in low

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Citation: Rachels, David. "Master William Mitten: or, A Youth of Brilliant Talents, Who Was Ruined by Bad Luck". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 17 July 2001 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=3683, accessed 26 November 2024.]

3683 Master William Mitten: or, A Youth of Brilliant Talents, Who Was Ruined by Bad Luck 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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