William Dean Howells (March 1, 1837 – May 11, 1920) was an Americanauthor and literary critic. His works include the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day" and the novel The Rise of Silas Lapham. He married Elinor Mead and had three children.
He returned to the United States in 1886. He wrote various types of works, including fiction, poetry, and farces, of which The Sleeping Car, The Mouse-Trap, The Elevator; Christmas Every Day; and Out of the Question are characteristic.
William Dean Howells Society[permanent dead link] includes a biographical sketch of Howells, links to his works (including the "Editor's Study" columns), questions and replies, bibliographies, and pictures.