The Atlantic Monthly Magazine

The Atlantic Monthly is a magazine first published in 1857.  It was mentioned briefly in the class, as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Ralph Waldo Emerson contributed towards it.  It’s first editor was James Russel Lowell who was an active abolitionist. The magazine focused on collecting authors of science, art, culture, and politics. Lowell endeavored to bring a medium to the young authors of America, and the Atlantic proved to be an excellent source as a journal and cultural icon.  By reaching out to young authors, The Atlantice quickly became one of the most foundational American magazines in publication.  “The Atlantic Monthly saw the first stories into print of Mark Twain, Henry James, Louise Erdrich, Sue Miller, and Bobbie Ann Mason. The Atlantic Monthly was the publisher of important essays by Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt, by W.E.B. DuBois and Martin Luther King”(1). The Atlantic first published what was soon to be known as “The Letters From Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr. The Atlantic was also the magazine to publish “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” along with Deliverance by James Dickey.

The Atlantic Monthly was a journal that spanned from the time of slavery through the abolitionist movement to the civil rights movement, marking the authors who helped define America’s history. Even Emily Dickinson was involved in The Atlantic. Thomas Wentworth Higginson, an abolitionist and literary critic, wrote a piece for The Atlantic which sought to help young writers bring their work forth to be published. Dickinson, estranged form her family’s religion and seeking advice for publishing her work. She sent him some of her poems and eventually sought his advice for many years until her death.

Websites describing the history of The Atlantic Monthly

1. http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/about/atlhistf.htm

2. http://www.things-and-other-stuff.com/magazines/atlantic-monthly.html

Images

1. Http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atlantic_Monthly_1857.png

2. Http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_Hymn_of_the_Republic.jpg