William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was possibly Ohio’s greatest literary figure. His father migrated to Ohio by flatboat and keelboat, and moved about within Ohio often as he followed his trade of printer and editor. William Dean was born at Martin’s Ferry on the Ohio River, and lived at Hamilton, Dayton, Columbus and Jefferson. He published over 100 books in his lifetime and served as editor of Atlantic and Harpers; probably the most significant literary magazines in the U.S. at the time.