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Tertiary sourceDocument1910

Stowe, Mrs. Harriet Beecher, A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

John William Cousin · 1910

A 1910 encyclopedia entry summarizing Harriet Beecher Stowe's life and literary career, including Uncle Tom's Cabin.

This reference entry summarizes Stowe's life and literary achievements for later readers.

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Source: Wikisource

About this source

What it is

This is a reference entry from A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John William Cousin, published in London in 1910. It summarizes Stowe's life, family, and writings.

Why it matters

The entry describes Stowe's background as the daughter of clergyman Lyman Beecher and sister of preacher Henry Ward Beecher, and credits Uncle Tom's Cabin with having a powerful effect in hastening emancipation. It shows how Stowe was remembered in literary reference works decades after her death.

Look closer

  • What does the entry emphasize most about Stowe's achievements?
  • Why might a dictionary from 1910 describe Uncle Tom's Cabin as having 'hurried on' emancipation?
  • What is left out of this short summary that you think matters?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Harriet Beecher Stowe on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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