Horses and Men

Anderson (1876-1941) was an American novelist and short story writer, known for subjective and self-revealing works. Although self-educated he rose to become a successful copywriter and business owner in Cleveland and Elyria, Ohio. In 1912 he suffered a nervous breakdown which led him to abandon his business and family to become a writer. He moved to Chicago and was eventually married three additional times. His most enduring work is the short story sequence Winesburg, Ohio (1919) which launched his career. Throughout the 1920s he published several further short story collections, and also novels, memoirs, books of essays and a book of poetry. Whilst sales of his works were good, his only bestseller was Dark Laughter (1925), inspired by his time in New Orleans. Published in 1923 and subtitled Tales, Long and Short, from Our American Life, this was his third collection of stories, some of which had previously appeared in various magazines.