Tess and Brock dive into the unconventional life of Sarah Orne Jewett by first venturing to Berwick Academy, the school that Jewett attended. As an alum, Jewett was somewhat of a “patron saint”, and there are still students there who read and relate to her wild ways. At Jewett’s house, Tess and Brock are fascinated by her desk due to its unexpected position and discuss Jewett’s lover, Annie Fields.

Marilyn Keith Daily, who works for Historic New England, shares that she became a Jewett fan after starting to work at Jewett’s house which proves that stepping foot in an author’s home can indeed encourage the need to read.

Mentioned:

• A White Heron and Other Stories by Sarah Orne Jewett
• ”The Angels of Buena Vista” by John Greenleaf Whittier
• The Country of the Pointed Firsby Sarah Orne Jewett

The house:

• Sarah Orne Jewett House and Visiting Center in South Berwick, ME

Tess Chakkalakal is the creator, executive producer and host of Dead Writers. Brock Clarke is our writer and co-host.

Lisa Bartfai is the managing producer and executive editor. Our music is composed by Cedric Wilson, who also mixes the show. Ella Jones is our web editorial intern, and Mark Hoffman created our logo. A special thanks to our reader Colleen Doucette.

This episode was produced with the generous support of our sponsors Bath Savings and listeners like you.

Tess and Brock explore Nathanial Hawthorne’s childhood home in Raymond, Maine. Hawthorne’s writing colors the house as an idyllic childhood summer home and so it remains. Today, the local community uses the house as a space to come together—like it or not, Hawthorne! Tess and Brock remain persistent in their attempts to reveal the true story of Hawthorne and his house, but Hawthorne manages to keep up his image as a mysterious, and intensely private writer.

Mentioned:

• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Passages from a Relinquished Work (From "Mosses from an Old Manse") by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Wakefieldby Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Moby Dick by Herman Melville
• Dayswork by Chris Bachelder and Jennifer Habel
• Easy A (2010)
• Crazy Stupid Love (2011)

The house:

• Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond, ME

Tess Chakkalakal is the creator, executive producer and host of Dead Writers. Brock Clarke is our writer and co-host.

Lisa Bartfai is the managing producer and executive editor. Our music is composed by Cedric Wilson, who also mixes the show. Ella Jones is our web editorial intern, and Mark Hoffman created our logo.

This episode was produced with the generous support of our sponsors Bath Savings and listeners like you.

Tess and Brock travel to Wiscasset, ME, to investigate the scene of James Weldon Johnson’s tragic death in a train accident. Author Russell Rymer gives us a glimpse of Johnson's life as a Black poet, diplomat, novelist, and activist—Johnson was a jack of all trades, master of all. Poet C.S. Giscombe discuss Johnson’s The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man and finds surprising similarities to the tv cartoon Futurama.

Tess and Brock also meet with Melanie K. Edwards, Johnson’s great grandniece, who gives some insight into what her famous uncle was doing in Maine in the first place.

Mentioned:

• The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson
• “We To America” by James Weldon Johnson
• God's Trombones by James Weldon Johnson
• “Listen Lord, A Prayer” by James Weldon Johnson
• “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson
• Negro Mountain by C.S. Giscombe
• American Beach by Russell Rymer
• Futurama (1999)
• Simpsons (1989)

The house:

• James Weldon Johnson Bench in Wiscasset, ME

Tess Chakkalakal is the creator, executive producer and host of Dead Writers. Brock Clarke is our writer and co-host.

Lisa Bartfai is the managing producer and executive editor. Our music is composed by Cedric Wilson, who also mixes the show. Ella Jones is our web editorial intern, and Mark Hoffman created our logo.

This episode was produced with the generous support of our sponsors Bath Savings and listeners like you.