Louise Bryant
Encyclopedia
Louise Bryant was an American journalist
and writer. She was best known for her Marxist and anarchist
beliefs and her essays on radical political and feminist themes. Bryant published articles in several radical left journals during her life, including Alexander Berkman
's The Blast.
, who made his way west with the Railroad crews. Her mother remarried Sheridan Bryant and Louise took her stepfather's name. The family moved to Nevada
where Louise was a student at the University of Nevada
. She later moved to the University of Oregon
in Eugene
. Her senior thesis was about the Modoc Indian War
of Southern Oregon and was completed in 1908. Bryant returned to San Francisco to become a journalist after graduation but was soon nudged, for financial reasons, to teach "school" in Salinas, California in her words "in a remote area, forty miles from a train station". She also wrote that "Mexicans and Spaniards are my students." She moved back to Oregon and became involved with the Suffrage
Movement in Portland, worked for the Spectator, and married Paul Trullinger.
in New York CIty. Louise moved with him to New York City
, and amicably divorced Trullinger several months later. Reed and Bryant together traveled to Russia
in 1917 where they witnessed the October Revolution
. Both published books about the event, Reed's Ten Days that Shook the World
and Bryant's Six Red Months in Russia. Bryant was with Reed when he died of typhus
in 1920. He is one of three Americans to be buried at the Kremlin
in Moscow. Their story is told in the 1981 film Reds, starring Warren Beatty
, Diane Keaton
, and Jack Nicholson
.
In a 1920 letter to a friend, Bryant spoke of her typhus-stricken husband's death in Moscow and how she watched Soviets pass his grave:
Louise Bryant continued to work following her second husband's death and became a leading reporter for the Hearst
newspaper chain. After Reed's death, Bryant married William C. Bullitt in early 1924. The couple had one child, Anne. Becoming ill with what was diagnosed in 1928 as adiposis dolorosa
, "Dercum's Disease", and despite several treatments including stays at Dr. Dengler's Sanatorium in Baden Baden, Germany
and a few sessions with Sigmund Freud
in 1929, Bryant continued efforts to be a wife, mother, and writer. Bullitt divorced Bryant in 1930, upon learning of her alleged lesbian affairs in Paris.
http://www.louisebryant.blogspot.com.
Upon her death, Bryant's personal papers were transferred to Bullitt, where they remained until their daughter Anne donated Bullitt's papers to his alma mater Yale University in 2004. Upon preparing them for transport to Yale, Bryant's papers were discovered amidst Bullitt's, and they currently reside in Sterling Memorial Library.
"Introduction to The Auto/Biography of Louise Bryant"
"Letter to Literature of the Revolution" Magazine Editor" by Louise Bryant
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and writer. She was best known for her Marxist and anarchist
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
beliefs and her essays on radical political and feminist themes. Bryant published articles in several radical left journals during her life, including Alexander Berkman
Alexander Berkman
Alexander Berkman was an anarchist known for his political activism and writing. He was a leading member of the anarchist movement in the early 20th century....
's The Blast.
Early life
Bryant was born Anna Louisa Mohan in San Francisco, California. Her father, Hugh Mohan was a coal miner from Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, who made his way west with the Railroad crews. Her mother remarried Sheridan Bryant and Louise took her stepfather's name. The family moved to Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
where Louise was a student at the University of Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
. She later moved to the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
. Her senior thesis was about the Modoc Indian War
Modoc War
The Modoc War, or Modoc Campaign , was an armed conflict between the Native American Modoc tribe and the United States Army in southern Oregon and northern California from 1872–1873. The Modoc War was the last of the Indian Wars to occur in California or Oregon...
of Southern Oregon and was completed in 1908. Bryant returned to San Francisco to become a journalist after graduation but was soon nudged, for financial reasons, to teach "school" in Salinas, California in her words "in a remote area, forty miles from a train station". She also wrote that "Mexicans and Spaniards are my students." She moved back to Oregon and became involved with the Suffrage
Suffrage
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply the franchise, distinct from mere voting rights, is the civil right to vote gained through the democratic process...
Movement in Portland, worked for the Spectator, and married Paul Trullinger.
Career
Bryant met journalist John Reed in Portland, Oregon while he was visiting his family after attending Harvard and moving in "Radical" circles of the VillageGreenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
in New York CIty. Louise moved with him to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and amicably divorced Trullinger several months later. Reed and Bryant together traveled to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
in 1917 where they witnessed the October Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
. Both published books about the event, Reed's Ten Days that Shook the World
Ten Days that Shook the World
Ten Days that Shook the World is a book by American journalist and socialist John Reed about the October Revolution in Russia in 1917 which Reed experienced firsthand. Reed followed many of the prominent Bolshevik leaders, especially Grigory Zinoviev and Karl Radek, closely during his time in Russia...
and Bryant's Six Red Months in Russia. Bryant was with Reed when he died of typhus
Typhus
Epidemic typhus is a form of typhus so named because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters...
in 1920. He is one of three Americans to be buried at the Kremlin
Kremlin
A kremlin , same root as in kremen is a major fortified central complex found in historic Russian cities. This word is often used to refer to the best-known one, the Moscow Kremlin, or metonymically to the government that is based there...
in Moscow. Their story is told in the 1981 film Reds, starring Warren Beatty
Warren Beatty
Warren Beatty born March 30, 1937) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and director. He has received a total of fourteen Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Director in 1982. He has also won four Golden Globe Awards including the Cecil B. DeMille Award.-Early life and...
, Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton is an American film actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. Keaton began her career on stage, and made her screen debut in 1970...
, and Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
.
In a 1920 letter to a friend, Bryant spoke of her typhus-stricken husband's death in Moscow and how she watched Soviets pass his grave:
- "I have been there in the busy afternoon when all Russia hurries by," she wrote. "Once some of the soldiers came over to the grave. They took off their hats and spoke very reverently: 'What a good fellow he was!' said one. 'He came all the way across the world for us. He was one of ours.'"
Louise Bryant continued to work following her second husband's death and became a leading reporter for the Hearst
Hearst Corporation
The Hearst Corporation is an American media conglomerate based in the Hearst Tower, Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States. Founded by William Randolph Hearst as an owner of newspapers, the company's holdings now include a wide variety of media...
newspaper chain. After Reed's death, Bryant married William C. Bullitt in early 1924. The couple had one child, Anne. Becoming ill with what was diagnosed in 1928 as adiposis dolorosa
Adiposis dolorosa
Adiposis dolorosa, also known as Dercum's Disease is a rare condition characterized by multiple, painful lipomas. These lipomas mainly occur on the trunk, the upper arms and upper legs. The diagnosis of Dercum's disease implies a long, chronic pain syndrome of debilitating nature...
, "Dercum's Disease", and despite several treatments including stays at Dr. Dengler's Sanatorium in Baden Baden, Germany
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is a spa town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the western foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the Oos River, in the region of Karlsruhe...
and a few sessions with Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud , born Sigismund Schlomo Freud , was an Austrian neurologist who founded the discipline of psychoanalysis...
in 1929, Bryant continued efforts to be a wife, mother, and writer. Bullitt divorced Bryant in 1930, upon learning of her alleged lesbian affairs in Paris.
Death and legacy
Bryant died on Jan. 6, 1936 of a brain hemorrhage in Paris and is buried in Des Gonards Cemetery in Versailles, FranceVersailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
http://www.louisebryant.blogspot.com.
Upon her death, Bryant's personal papers were transferred to Bullitt, where they remained until their daughter Anne donated Bullitt's papers to his alma mater Yale University in 2004. Upon preparing them for transport to Yale, Bryant's papers were discovered amidst Bullitt's, and they currently reside in Sterling Memorial Library.
See also
- Alexander BerkmanAlexander BerkmanAlexander Berkman was an anarchist known for his political activism and writing. He was a leading member of the anarchist movement in the early 20th century....
- AnarchismAnarchismAnarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
- Communist Party of the United States
- Eugene O'NeillEugene O'NeillEugene Gladstone O'Neill was an American playwright and Nobel laureate in Literature. His poetically titled plays were among the first to introduce into American drama techniques of realism earlier associated with Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, and Swedish...
- John Reed
Further reading
- Mary V. Dearborn, Queen of Bohemia (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996), hardcover, 365 pages, ISBN 0-395-68396-3
- Virginia Gardner. Friend and Lover: The Life of Louise Bryant (New York: Horizon Press, 1982)
- Eric Homberger. John Reed (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1990)
- Louise Bryant. Six Red Months in Russia New York: George H. Doran Company, 1918(Powells.com, 2002)
- Louise Bryant. Mirrors of Moscow (Hyperion Books 1973)
- Antoinette Nora Claypoole, "Watersongs Project" introduction to the upcoming book Bronzed Flower Revival: the Auto/Biography of Louise Bryant
External links
- The Louise Bryant archive
- Greene's Louise Bryant
- Glossary of people
- The Louise Bryant Papers, Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library
"Introduction to The Auto/Biography of Louise Bryant"
"Letter to Literature of the Revolution" Magazine Editor" by Louise Bryant