Edith Wharton 1862-1937

Regular visitor to Lamb House, Rye

see Henry James for details about visiting Lamb House

One of the major figures in American literary history, Edith Wharton (1862-1937) presented intriguing insights into the American experience.  Author of more than 40 volumes novels, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, Wharton had a long and remarkable life. 

Edith Wharton first met Henry James in the late 1880s, but they did not become friends until after 1900. He was a famous author nearing the end of his brilliant career but with the masterpieces of his last period yet to come. She was at the beginning of hers. In 1900 Wharton sent James a copy of her story "The Line of Least Resistance"; he replied with praise for the story, followed by detailed criticism, which she found devastating. In time, however, she learned to accept criticism as one professional to another, and James became a valued literary adviser.

It was here that Edith Wharton would visit Henry James with such delight, to spend "some of my richest hours". Simon Jenkins - England's Thousand Best Houses 

DVD based on Edith Wharton's last novel, set in the 1870s, tells of five American beauties whose riches are too nouveau to open the doors of New York society.

Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel about the manners and morals in New York society in the 1870s.

Wharton's language alternates between unimpassioned frankness and voluptuous description of Morocco's staggering natural and cultural beauty