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Van Wyck Brooks

30quotes

Van Wyck Brooks


Full Name and Common Aliases


Arthur George Van Wyck Brooks was a renowned American literary critic, biographer, and historian. He is commonly known as Van Wyck Brooks.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on February 10, 1886, in Providence, Rhode Island, Brooks passed away on December 2, 1963.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Brooks was an American of Welsh descent. Throughout his life, he worked as a literary critic, biographer, historian, essayist, and professor at various universities.

Early Life and Background


Growing up in Providence, Rhode Island, Brooks developed a passion for literature from an early age. His family's strong emphasis on education and culture undoubtedly influenced his interests. After completing high school, Brooks attended Harvard University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1908. He later pursued graduate studies at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Major Accomplishments


Brooks is best known for his groundbreaking work in American literary history. His most significant contributions include:

The Makers and the Finders: This book, published in 1936, marked a turning point in Brooks' career as he transitioned from writing novels to non-fiction works.
 The Flowering of New England: Published in 1936, this work is considered one of Brooks' masterpieces, where he explores the cultural and literary heritage of New England.

Notable Works or Actions


Some of Brooks' notable works include:

America's Coming of Age (1915)
 The Pilgrims of Havenhurst (1927-1930)
* John Adams: The American Patriot (1940)

Brooks also contributed to various publications, including the New Republic and Harper's Magazine.

Impact and Legacy


As a pioneering figure in American literary history, Brooks' work had a profound impact on the field. He was instrumental in shaping our understanding of American culture and literature. His biographical approach to historical figures like John Adams and his exploration of regional themes in The Flowering of New England have left an enduring legacy.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Brooks' contributions to literary history, coupled with his engaging writing style, make him a widely quoted figure. His ability to weave complex historical narratives into compelling stories has captivated readers for generations.

Quotes by Van Wyck Brooks

The American mind, unlike the English, is not formed by books, but, as Carl Sandburg once said to me... by newspapers and the Bible.
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The American mind, unlike the English, is not formed by books, but, as Carl Sandburg once said to me... by newspapers and the Bible.
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There is no stopping the world’s tendency to throw off imposed restraints, the religious authority that is based on the ignorance of the many, the political authority that is based on the knowledge of the few.
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There is no stopping the world’s tendency to throw off imposed restraints, the religious authority that is based on the ignorance of the many, the political authority that is based on the knowledge of the few.
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No one in this country has any root anywhere; we don’t live in America, we board here, we are like spiders that run over the surface of the water.
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No one in this country has any root anywhere; we don’t live in America, we board here, we are like spiders that run over the surface of the water.
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How delightful is the company of generous people, who overlook trifles and keep their minds instinctively fixed on whatever is good and positive in the world around them.
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How delightful is the company of generous people, who overlook trifles and keep their minds instinctively fixed on whatever is good and positive in the world around them.
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How delightful is the company of generous people, who overlook trifles and keep their minds instinctively fixed on whatever is good and positive in the world about them. People of small caliber are always carping. They are bent on showing their own superiority, their knowledge or prowess or good breeding. But magnanimous people have no vanity, they have no jealousy, and they feed on the true and the solid wherever they find it. And what is more, they find it everywhere.
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How delightful is the company of generous people, who overlook trifles and keep their minds instinctively fixed on whatever is good and positive in the world about them. People of small caliber are always carping. They are bent on showing their own superiority, their knowledge or prowess or good breeding. But magnanimous people have no vanity, they have no jealousy, and they feed on the true and the solid wherever they find it. And what is more, they find it everywhere.
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#motivational
No man should ever publish a book until he has first read it to a woman.
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No man should ever publish a book until he has first read it to a woman.
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#men
The instructed man is ashamed to pronounce in an Orphic manner what everybody knows, and because he is silent people think he is making fun of them.
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The instructed man is ashamed to pronounce in an Orphic manner what everybody knows, and because he is silent people think he is making fun of them.
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#men
No one in this country has any root anywhere; we don't live in America, we board here, we are like spiders that run over the surface of the water.
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No one in this country has any root anywhere; we don't live in America, we board here, we are like spiders that run over the surface of the water.
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#running
Longfellow is to poetry what the barrel-organ is to music.
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Longfellow is to poetry what the barrel-organ is to music.
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#barrels
Better the fragrant herb of wit and a little cream of affability than all the pretty cups in the world.
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Better the fragrant herb of wit and a little cream of affability than all the pretty cups in the world.
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#littles
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