The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-31
HIS PLACE IN LITERATURE
Grant Allen Was, After All, More
Scientist Than Novelist.


The Eagle. Wednesday morning, had
dispatch announcing the death OF Grant
Allen, the author, in London.
Americans have learned to think OF
Grant Allen as an English novelist, but
If would be more accurate to call MIN d
Canadian scientist. He was born IN lS4S
at Kingston, Canada, on the banks OF the
Ct Lawrence. his father being the Rev
A Allen. He remained at nome until
he was fourteen years of age, put ne gu
his later education in the United STATES
in France. in England, and IN many SUI
senuent years o1 travel. He was the ad-
thor of over forty volumes, chleIly on
physiology, biology, and kindred oranca-
es of natural science
Grant Allen was a keen observer ano
lover of nature, and his finest and most
enduring work will be found IN MS ma
ture studies, though his novels brought
him more fame or a certain sort-eSp1-
ciallv 1.-THE Woman Who Did" His real
genius was in scientific work, IN whlch
he did much to popularize the lreas o.
Rarwin and Herbert Spencer.
From boyhood his intellectual powers
were marked. At nineteen he won schlar
ship admitting him to oxford, and at =
he was a. professor of mental philosophy
and logic in the West Indies.It was while
living in Jamaica in the sos that he Wro'
an All Shades" as protest against the
Injustice shown towards persons with
trace of negro blood in the irveins. The
speed at which he usually worked is In
dictated by the fact that he finished this
three-volume novel IN four weeks
Poor health made a traveller OF the
vounq man. He preferred to live in Eng
land after his graduation from OXFORD
but he made long tours TO France, Italy.
Algeria. Egypt and the West lndeas- All
his experiences in this respect were turned
70 good account in giving appropriate
settings to his novels. A few years ago
hA briIt 4 handsome home at Hindhead
in Surrey. not far from Tennysons oln
home. Here William Morris. the Socia-
list poet, was one Of his neighhors, WINE
Herbert Spencer. whom he claimed az
his best friend and chief inspiration, Of
ten spent months at a time with MS TEL
low bachelor. Aliens circle Of friends IN
cI,,ded scores Of leading scientists and
authors. He made no empty boast when
he claimed to be acquainted with every
prominent man Of science in England.
Nr Allen made his debit as lectur-
er bv appearing before the Royal Society
He was engaged as an editorial writer
on the London Daily News during the
Afzanistan war.
Grant Aliens first book was ''Physiolog-
teal Esthetics." published in ISL He lost
money on 1t and later said: Brain for
brain IN no market can You sell your a
hihties to ouch poor advantage Don't
take TO literature II you've capital enough
20 buy good broom and enough energy
10 annex vacant crossing"
HIS first remuneracive work was story
for the CoruhlH called Carving Co
coanut." which brought him twelve gum
cas- 'sThe Coiar Sense written in ls7>,
contained s.p0a references. The ErplE-
zionist az Large" and Charles Darwin
were among the important contributions
OF Mr. Allen To TIE literature - evolution.
Chief among hts ether works. n the ord
81 OF their appearance. aye the following
''Phu!ztia.' Babylon -'Colia C1out's
Calendar The Color % Flowers
Flowers and Taeir Pefizrees" '.For
Masrnies Sake In all Shades" The
Reckoning Hand "The Devirs Die
This Mortal COLI White Mans Foo1--
Force and Energy" The Tents n,
Shem.' The Woman Who DID. Post
Prsaafal Philosophy Strange Stories
"Angio-saxon Britain TIRE British Bar
6arlsas'' Science in Already" ''ELs;or-
ioal Guides" '~The Evoiugon % TIE idea
OF God
..Y~,Lo,s =. S,,..s-..s crzscs Il 70. fcs