Biography of the Author

The 19th-century literary scene was comprised of giants ranging from Jane Austen to Leo Tolstoy. But for each individual who left an indelible mark on the art of prose, there were dozens of published writers who've largely disappeared from the public consciousness. Canadian author and poet James Dresser is one such example.

This brief biography is meant to educate readers on the most important moments of his life, although it should be noted that details on James Dresser are deceptively scarce. In fact, his most lasting notoriety was not achieved by his own works, but rather by a five-page correspondence he received from one of the most enduring names in 19th-century literature.

James was born in Toronto in 1855, the second and final child of Robert and Elizabeth Dresser. A few years later, he became the lone male of the household when his father abandoned the family and moved to the burgeoning West of the United States (where he is reported to have died). Being raised in a single-parent home resulted in Dresser forming a deep bond with his mother, and he continued to live with her until the end of his life.

As he reached adulthood, Dresser decided on a career as a writer and honed his skills at various national newspapers. One notable example took the form of a poem written under the pseudonym "Belisarius," in which he argued that America's emulation of Britains's capitalist policies would result in the ruination of the country.

Dresser's most well-known achievement came in 1876, when the 21-year-old aspiring author sent a manuscript and letter to celebrated novelist Robert Ashworth. Despite being in the middle of writing The Rancher's Daughter, Ashworth set aside a day to offer his advice to Dresser. His main suggestion was to gain more life experience before attempting a full-length novel, and Ashworth asserted that only a "god-given gift" could produce a readable work before the age of 30.

Undaunted by the advice of his literary hero, Dresser self-published In the House of the Redvilles in 1881 at the age of 26. He also released a series of anecdotes about the publishing profession in the same year, entitled Capitally: The Word Managed Profitably. This was followed in 1884 by The Beast in the Belly of the Bartender, another collection of humorous tales.

In 1889 Dresser turned his hand to biography, producing a poorly received work titled Bredimus: The Adventures of Nicholas and Barnaby. Some critics argue the biography is fictional. The book sold few copies and quickly vanished from the markets. This was the last time Dresser would publish a book.

In 1895, Dresser and his mother both became ill with the flu and died within a day of one another. He was never married and left no children behind.

There's little doubt that James Dresser accomplished more in his 40 years than what's listed in the above biography. Unfortunately, many of his problems and passions have been lost to the same ravages of time that claim us all. His works of prose and poetry still exist, however, which should serve as an adequate guidepost for anyone seeking more information on the author or life in post-Confederation Canada.

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