The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-09-24
THOMAS 4 DIXON'S
NO7.AB| |: |. [. CAREER |!|||| |. 4
Was Elected, Member Of North.
Carolina I legislature Before
He Was Y Z 5; T ,i', e;,y
PASTOR OF l ! les CHURCH =" |! ] =:
Brilliant Career AS Public Speak
er iintB oston and New
orb S HI 81 "

III One Of the most interesting figure. IN
American literary life is Thomas Dix
on. ~, author OF THE Clansman"f and
"The Leopards Spots" and OF the play
based upon these two successful novels
Lawyer, legislator, preacher, lecturer
author, dramatlst-his life has indeed
been nany-sided. He was once called
a ..'live-wire"Is and the appelation is most
iflt.35 iss{ft~
Thomas Dixon, Jr.. was born in Cleye-
land county, North Carolina, January II.
1864, A desce ndant$ Of sturdy Scotch Gov
enanters, whose best traditions OF liberty
and loyalty were maintained by the Ku
I<lux Khan during the darkened Gays
OF rec construction, he has been no less
brave in days Of peace than were his
ancestors in times OF peril and Of strife
ONLY a man Aof heroic mould would
dare to write a book like THE Clans
man. 5ss55i
Forest College, North Caroline, where he
was graduated with highest honors, AZ
ter o postgraduate course OF one year
at Johns Hopkins University Baltimore
he went to New York. where ne spent
another yeah Etudying Eramauc nut
and oratory. Returning to North caro-
lima he became interested IN politics.
and at twenty years Of age, before
HE could vote, he Ras elected a member
OF the North Carolina Legislature. he
read law and. was admitted to the BAR
but soon became persuaded that It was
|, his duty to preach the gospel. After I'LL
ing pastorates Of two Of the largest cities
in his native stae. when only % years
of ago, he received a call from one Of
the oldest churches In Boston. HIS fame
as q preacher rapidly spread. and after
he moved to New York his congrega-
tons Increased 50 in number that ne
found 1t necessary to preach In the maHl-
moth Academy OF Music. There he found
ed the Peoples Church"
Burning Public Questions.
Mr., Dixon was the pioneer In New
York In bringing to bear the full moral
force of the pulpit on burning public
questions. u. a55
He next enlarged his field of useful-
ness by going on the lecture platform,
where he Immediately attained the fore-
most rank, He was still seeking a wider
field and the writing OF his successful
novels followed, Turning dramatist was
mother. step, IN the same direction,
Mr. Dixon'sl present home, Elmington,
is one of the most beautiful estates
In Virginia, It occupies a commanding
position on North Rlysr, in Gloucester
county, Though now comprising 800 acres,
1t was originally a. crown grant Of 2,G0
acres The house is beautifully situated
on IA peninsula which is almost entirely
surrounded by water. The house Is q
massive brick structure Of colonial style,
with a noble white pillar porch. which
commandsBa charming view. Mr.. Dixon
does most his writing In an old house
on tho other side OF tho creek,
So great is the authors interest In
the drmatlc presentation Of s"rhe Clans
| man. that he has decided to accom-
panv the company throughout the South
ern tour. This Will be an Interesting bit
| of INFORMATION to his many thousands