Edward Bellamy

Edward Bellamy ( born March 26, 1850 in Chicopee, Massachusetts, † May 22, 1898 ) was an American science fiction author who in A look back from 2000 to 1887 in 1888 invented the credit card.

Life

Bellamy spent most of his life in his birthplace. The son of a Baptist pastor and a Calvinist mother he experienced the cruelty of child labor and was coined by the observed inhumanity wealthy mill owner. Early on, at age 10, he began to write essays on socialist reforms.

His parents pushed to the priesthood, he nevertheless decided to study law. From 1868 to 1871 he studied law and completed a one-year stay in Germany. In 1871 he received his court approval, worked for this year as a journalist and editor. First, he was co-editor of the Springfield Union, later editor of the Evening Post, New York. In 1880 he founded with his brother, the Springfield Daily News. In 1882 he married Emma Sanderson. In 1885 he devoted himself to just writing.

His early prose, to which also scored Fantastic, does not yet show the strong social Engagenment as his fame causative publication Looking Backward 2000-1887. 1888 appeared the work and was wide rezipiert in the U.S. and one of the first international bestseller. After the publication of the work over 150 American Bellamy clubs were founded in the United States, which pursued the goal to realize the described in Looking Backward Society. A variety of utopian writings led the central ideas of the work continued at the turn of the 20th century.

The success of this novel is probably the most practical treatment of economic problems in America in the late 19th century ascribed. Of course, missed the interwoven romance in the future description is embedded, not the prevailing taste. The work led to violent and controversial discussions. Hundreds Bellamy companies were founded. However, his fame faded just as quickly as it was founded. His published in 1897 continued Equality was hardly any echo or even advocates. Shortly after publication of the book Bellamy died from tuberculosis.

Edward Bellamy is one of the pioneers of the utopian- American novel and is a literary main representatives of the American reform socialism.

Works (excerpt)

  • The year 2000: a look back at the 1887 Essen 1987.
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