Wallace Irwin

Wallace Irwin Biography

Wallace Irwin (March 15, 1875 – February 14, 1959) was an American writer celebrated for his versatility in genres including humorous sketches, light verse, screenplays, short stories, novels, and journalism. Born in Oneida, New York, he was raised in Colorado and later attended Stanford University. As editor of two campus publications, his satirical writings led to his expulsion, an event he later recounted with a sense of pride.

Relocating to San Francisco, Irwin began his journalism career with William Randolph Hearst’s Examiner and other newspapers. Encouraged by Gelett Burgess, he ventured into poetry, publishing works such as The Love Sonnets of a Hoodlum (1901) and Nautical Lays of a Landsman (1904). His creativity extended to pseudonymous writings, notably The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Jr., a parody presented as a translation from a fictitious language.

In 1907, Irwin introduced the character Hashimura Togo through a series of letters in Collier’s magazine, adopting a Japanese persona to provide social commentary. This character gained significant popularity, leading to several books and a 1917 silent film adaptation titled Hashimura Togo. However, modern perspectives critique these works for perpetuating racial stereotypes prevalent in that era.

Throughout his career, Irwin's works were adapted into films, and he contributed lyrics for Broadway musicals and even a libretto for an opera. He married twice, first to Grace Adelaide Luce in 1901, and after her passing, to Laetitia McDonald in 1916, with whom he had two sons. Wallace Irwin passed away on February 14, 1959, in Southern Pines, North Carolina. His papers, including manuscripts and correspondence, are archived at the Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Trivia About Wallace Irwin

• Irwin's novel The Julius Caesar Murder Case (1935) is an early example of detective fiction set in antiquity.
• He often wrote under pseudonyms or presented himself as the editor or translator of his own works.
• Irwin's brother, Will Irwin, was also a noted author and journalist.
• His character Hashimura Togo was praised by contemporaries, including Mark Twain, for its humor.

Famous Quotes by Wallace Irwin

• "I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
• "Humor is perhaps a sense of intellectual perspective: an awareness that some things are really important, others not; and that the two kinds are most oddly jumbled in everyday affairs."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Wallace Irwin?

Wallace Irwin was an American writer known for his humorous sketches, light verse, novels, and contributions to early 20th-century literature.

What is 'The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Jr.'?

It is a parody written by Irwin, presented as a translation from a fictitious language, showcasing his talent for humor and satire.

Who was Hashimura Togo?

Hashimura Togo was a fictional Japanese character created by Irwin, featured in a series of letters that provided social commentary through humor.

Related Literary Movements

Wallace Irwin's work is associated with early 20th-century American humor and satire, contributing to the literary landscape with his parodies and social commentaries.

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