New-York tribune., 1909-04-10

Il was early in 1881 when he landed here Not
knowing what else to do. he reverted 70 his early
love Of study entering Harvard and continuing his
work in sanserit- He supported himself by writ
ing for the magazines. The next year his real life
work began.
Mr. Crawford inherited the artistic temperament
Of his father, Thomas Crawford, Scotch Irishman
OF New York BIRTH who a sculptor. and, like his
son. cosmopolitan by disposition His mother
sister Of Julia Ward Howe. All his early studies
travels and rich experiences eIninentIy fitted him
for the work he finally took up. Yet, apparently.
IN all his twenty-eiEt years Il had occurred
10 him 10 attempt fiction. In fact, he was wont to
assure his intTnates that he had the slightest
gift OF Imagination
The merest accident finally turned him into the
right channel carly in 1882. His uncle Samuel
Ward had asked him TO dinner one evening at a
club IN this city In the course of the converse ton
he told with much detail his recoIlectons of in
teresting man whom he had met in Sinla. Mr..
Ward remarked, That's good magazine story,
and you must write it ont at once" That night
the eXDerimcnter began Mr.. Isaacs' and finished
# IN little month. The novel was accepted
by Macmillan, and became popular at once. He
followed il uD with "Dr CIaudus Then at Mr..
AidriCh's request, he A Roman Singer"
for The Atlantic Monthly"
Other stc.ies followed rapidly. The author
sailed for Italy in May, 1888. and spent most of
1884 in Constantinople where he married daugf-
ter Of General Borden. In 1885 he returned to
Italy and settled in Sorrento. where he owned a
beautiful villa. He lived there TIL his death, with
the exception Of two visits to America. in 1898 and
IS94
The origin OF the Saracinesca stories was walk
which tho author took in the interior of Italy
with a tutor when he was a boy the region in
which he placed the SaracinesCa estates When
he wrote the first novel of the series he did not
intend group. but the plan grew. and the first
story SO well received that he decided 10
continue the history through several generations,
making il representative of the life Of the nobility
Of a certain class in modern Italy. Though highly
praised by critics Mr.. Crawford himself did not
consiGe- the series very successful
For several years Mr.. Crawford had suite of
rooms d Nc. 20 Fifth avenue in this city, where
he lived and worked when he visited New York
His principal workroom was 60 feet long by
S5 feet wide. From 3 to 10 every morning he
could be found here during his New York visits
fencing with his maitre d'armes, Nothing ever
interfered with his regular exercise That IN part
accounted for his splendid physique. he stood
feet :. With broad shoulders ana miH'aFy car
riage
At one end Of this favorite room was big
poster Of his play. Francesca da RimnL' with
an autograph by Sarah Beruharct. for whom he
the play al her request. and who produced
in Paris with great success.
At the time of his death Mr. Crawford was en-
gagged on what he considered his most important
work. a History OF Rome in the Middle Ages
Nj Crawford chief works and the dates "f their
publication are: Mr.. Isaacs' 1882; Dr. 1!auolus
1883: a Roman Singer 1884; To Lee"aFh
1sS4: An American Politician 1884, "Zoroaster.
1885; a Tale Of a Lonely Parish lNS6' Mario
Crucifx." 1851: Paul Patoff. lSs,; SaIaclhe7ea
1SS7; with the Immortals." 1SS>; 'Greifensteln
7SSq- ..Sant' Uario" 1883. a Cigarette Maker :
Romance. 1880. ..TLhaled~ 1891: The Witch of
Prague" =" 1891: The Three Fates, 1892. The Chill
dren Of the King 1892; Don orsino-' l'e2; Mar
ion Darche," 1893 'Pietro Ghslerl, 1879 Inc
Nove1-What Il IS" 1893; Katherine LauderdaIe'
1924; Love in IdIeness" 1891: The Ralst"ns,
lss4: 'Constantinopie, 1895; Casa Rraeeio, lSy2'
Adam Johnstone's SON 1898; "Taquisara. 1885,