James Maxwell Anderson (December 15, 1888 â€" February 28, 1959) was
an American playwright, author, poet, journalist and lyricist.James
Maxwell Anderson was born on December 15, 1888, in Atlantic,
Pennsylvania, the second of eight children to William Lincoln "Link"
Anderson, a Baptist minister, and Charlotte Perrimela ('Premely')
Stephenson, both of Scots and Irish descent. His family initially
lived on his maternal grandmother Sheperd's farm in Atlantic, then
moved to Andover, Ohio, where his father became a railroad fireman
while studying to become a minister. They moved often, to follow their
father's ministerial posts, and Maxwell was frequently sick, missing a
great deal of school. He used his time sick in bed to read
voraciously, and both his parents and Aunt Emma were storytellers,
which contributed to Anderson's love of literature.During a visit to
his grandmother's house in Atlantic, at age 11, he met the first love
of his life, Hallie Loomis, a slightly older girl from a wealthier
family. His autobiographical tale, Morning, Winter and Night told of
rape, incest and sadomasochism on the farm. It was published under a
pseudonym, John Nairne Michealson, to prevent offending family. The
Andersons bounced between Andover, Ohio, Richmond Center, Ohio,
Townville, Pa., Edinboro, Pa., McKeesport, Pa., New Brighton, Pa.,
Harrisburg, Pa., to Jamestown, North Dakota in 1907, where Anderson
attended Jamestown High School, graduating in 1908.
an American playwright, author, poet, journalist and lyricist.James
Maxwell Anderson was born on December 15, 1888, in Atlantic,
Pennsylvania, the second of eight children to William Lincoln "Link"
Anderson, a Baptist minister, and Charlotte Perrimela ('Premely')
Stephenson, both of Scots and Irish descent. His family initially
lived on his maternal grandmother Sheperd's farm in Atlantic, then
moved to Andover, Ohio, where his father became a railroad fireman
while studying to become a minister. They moved often, to follow their
father's ministerial posts, and Maxwell was frequently sick, missing a
great deal of school. He used his time sick in bed to read
voraciously, and both his parents and Aunt Emma were storytellers,
which contributed to Anderson's love of literature.During a visit to
his grandmother's house in Atlantic, at age 11, he met the first love
of his life, Hallie Loomis, a slightly older girl from a wealthier
family. His autobiographical tale, Morning, Winter and Night told of
rape, incest and sadomasochism on the farm. It was published under a
pseudonym, John Nairne Michealson, to prevent offending family. The
Andersons bounced between Andover, Ohio, Richmond Center, Ohio,
Townville, Pa., Edinboro, Pa., McKeesport, Pa., New Brighton, Pa.,
Harrisburg, Pa., to Jamestown, North Dakota in 1907, where Anderson
attended Jamestown High School, graduating in 1908.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.