Dealings with the Dead (ePub)

Lucius Manlius Sargent (1786-1867) was a prominent figure in 19th-century American literature, whose forays into writing were matched by his expertise as a temperance advocate and numismatist. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Sargent was the son of prominent parents who ensured he received an education befitting their status, thus grooming him for a lifetime of scholarly and cultural achievements. His legacy, however, is most distinctly captured in his literary work, 'Dealings with the Dead', a collection of macabre and supernatural tales that intimately explores themes of mortality and the afterlife. Sargent's narrative style in 'Dealings with the Dead' reflects a gothic sensibility, which was characterized by an emphasis on emotion and a fascination with the morbid aspects of life, firmly rooting him in the literary tradition of the early American gothic movement. Although not as universally recognized as some of his contemporaries, Sargent's contributions to the genre cannot be overlooked, as they provide insight into the cultural preoccupations with death and the supernatural during his time. While his works may not have the canonical status of some authors from the era, Sargent's writing still garners attention from scholars interested in the breadth and diversity of early American gothic literature and the various sociocultural concerns it reflects.