Nathaniel Parker Willis

Author, Poet and Editor

Nathaniel Parker Willis, also known as N. P. Willis, (1806 – 1867) was an American author, poet and editor who became the highest-paid magazine writer of his day. For a time, he was the employer of former slave and future writer Harriet Jacobs. His brother was the composer Richard Storrs Willis and his sister wrote under the name Fanny Fern. He is best known in Canadian history as the author of Canadian Scenery, which gave a great insight into our diverse population.  Willis embedded his own personality into his writing and addressed his readers personally, specifically in his travel writings, so that his reputation was built in part because of his character.  He was  occasionally described as  effeminate and Europeanized. Willis also published several poems, tales, and a play. Despite his intense popularity for a time, at his death Willis was nearly forgotten

Image from Canadian Scenery

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