''The American Review'', alternatively known as ''The American Review: A Whig Journal'' and ''The American Whig Review'', was a

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

-based monthly

periodical A periodical literature (also called a periodical publication or simply a periodical) is a published work that appears in a new edition on a regular schedule. The most familiar example is a newspaper, but a magazine or a journal are also example ...

that published from 1844 to 1852. Published by Wiley and Putnam, it was edited by George H. Colton (1818–1847), and after his death, beginning with Volume 7, by

James Davenport Whelpley James Davenport Whelpley (1817–1872) was an American physician, author, editor, inventor, and metallurgist. Early life and education James Whelpley was born in New York City on January 23, 1817, the son of Rev. Philip Melanchthon Whelpley (De ...

. As of Volume 10, July 1849, the proprietors of the journal were Whelpley and John Priestly.

History

The first issue of ''American Review'' was dated January 1845, though it was likely published as early as October 1844, and intended to promote the Whig candidate Henry Clay, running in the presidential election of 1844. Clay was opposed by

James K. Polk James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849) was the 11th president of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849. He previously was the 13th speaker of the House of Representatives (1835–1839) and ninth governor of Tennessee (183 ...

, the Democratic Party’s candidate, who had the support of the '' Democratic Review''. In December 1844,

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe (; Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is wid ...

was recommended as an editorial assistant by

James Russell Lowell James Russell Lowell (; February 22, 1819 – August 12, 1891) was an American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat. He is associated with the fireside poets, a group of New England writers who were among the first American poets that ...

, though Poe was not hired.Sova, Dawn B. ''Edgar Allan Poe: A to Z''. New York: Checkmark Books, 2001: 10. In May 1846, Poe reviewed Colton's work in ''The Literati of New York City'', published in ''

Godey's Lady's Book ''Godey's Lady's Book'', alternatively known as ''Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book'', was an American women's magazine that was published in Philadelphia from 1830 to 1878. It was the most widely circulated magazine in the period before the Civil ...

''. Poe described Colton's poem "Tecumseh" as "insufferably tedious" but said that the magazine was one of the best of its kind in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

. ''The American Review'' had the distinction of being the first authorized periodical to print "

The Raven "The Raven" is a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. First published in January 1845, the poem is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere. It tells of a distraught lover who is paid a myst ...

" in February 1845. It was printed with the

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...

"Quarles". Another well-known poem by Poe, " Ulalume," also was first published (anonymously) in the ''American Review''. Other works by Poe published in the ''American Review'' include "

Some Words with a Mummy "Some Words with a Mummy" is a satirical short story by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. It was first published in '' The American Review: A Whig Journal of Politics, Literature, Art and Science'' in April 1845. It is recognized as an important earl ...

" and "

The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar" is a short story by the American author Edgar Allan Poe about a mesmerist who puts a man in a suspended hypnotic state at the moment of death. An example of a tale of suspense and horror, it is also to a c ...

." ''The American Review'' ceased publication in 1852, unable to continue paying its contributors.Donald Frank Andrews, ''The American Whig Review, 1845-1852: its History and Literary Contents'' (University of Tennessee, 1977).

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:American Review Defunct literary magazines published in the United States Edgar Allan Poe Magazines established in 1844 Magazines disestablished in 1852 Defunct political magazines published in the United States Magazines published in New York City

History

See also

References

External links