Fun Facts Friday: Bernard DeVoto

Bernard DeVoto (11 January, 1897 – 13 November, 1955) was an American writer, historian, editor, and teacher. As well as a writer, Mr. DeVoto is remembered as a champion of public land conversation and civil liberties.

Books by Bernard DeVoto*

Fun Facts about Bernard DeVoto:

1. Mr. DeVoto was born in Ogden, Utah.
2. Mr. DeVoto attended the University of Utah for one year, but then transferred to Harvard University. His studies were interrupted when he joins the Army in World War I.
3. As an English instructor at Northwestern University he began publishing novels and articles. His nom de plumes were “John August” and “Cady Hewes”.
4. As an authority on Mark Twain, Mr. DeVoto served as curator and editor for Twain’s papers and wrote several publications on the famous author.
5. Mr. DeVoto’s wife, Avis, was a book reviewer and editor as well as an accomplished cook and friends with Julia Child.
6. Mr. DeVoto and Mrs. Child actually began corresponding when he wrote an article in Harper’s Magazine saying he hated stainless steel knives. Mrs. Child wrote him to say she agreed one hundred percent.
7. Mrs. Child used Mrs. DeVoto as an editor when writing Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Their correspondence is held the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University and some of it has been published in the 2010 book As Always, Julia.
8. Mr. DeVoto and Mrs. Child met in person only after two years of correspondence.
9. Mr. DeVoto’s column in Harper’s Magazine, The Easy Chair, was considered to be very influential.
10. For a time in the 1950s, Mr. DeVoto served as a speech writer for Adlai Stevenson.

Books by Bernard DeVoto*

Zohar — Man of la Book
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Fun Facts Friday: Bernard DeVoto

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Bernard DeVoto (11 January, 1897 – 13 November, 1955) was an American writer, historian, editor, and teacher. As well as a writer, Mr. DeVoto is remembered as a champion of public land conversation and civil liberties.

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Man of la Book

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Man of la Book - A Bookish Blog

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