James Nelson Barker
James Nelson Barker (born June 17, 1784 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , † March 9, 1858 in Washington, DC ) was an American playwright.
Barker wrote comedies and historical dramas. He processed topics from American history and thus achieved a certain contemporary popularity. The melodrama The Indian Princess thematized the myth of the Indian Pocahontas and was one of the first American plays that mainly dealt with Native Americans. In 1812 he took part in the British-American War . In 1817 he finished his military service and was inducted into the Board of Aldermen of the City of Philadelphia. From 1819 to 1821 he was mayor of the city; the re-election was denied him and he was re Alderman ( Assistant Secretary ). In terms of writing, only one piece appeared, The tragedy of superstition , which is about the Puritan epoch of New England. From 1838 until his death he worked for the United States Treasury Department .
Works (selection)
- Tears and smiles (1807)
- The indian princess; or, La belle sauvage (1808)
- The armourer's escape; or, Three years at Nootka Sound (1817)
- The tragedy of superstition (1826)
Web links
- Literature by and about James Nelson Barker in the catalog of the German National Library
- Entries in WorldCat
- James Nelson Barker at Project Gutenberg
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Barker, James Nelson |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American playwright |
| DATE OF BIRTH | June 17, 1784 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Philadelphia , Pennsylvania |
| DATE OF DEATH | March 9, 1858 |
| Place of death | Washington, DC |