Henry James was born in 1843 in New York City. He travelled extensively during his youth and is considered one of the key figures of nineteenth-century literary realism. He is renowned for his work portraying the encounter of Americans with Europe. The Portrait of a Lady and The Ambassadors are amongst his masterpieces.
'James is one of the most satisfying of all letter-writers because of the endlessly surprising plasticity with which he handles the language of even his most trifling communications' - Jonathan Keates 'One of the greatest fiction and travel writers in the language. He was also one of the most entertaining-and prolific-correspondents.' - Sunday Times 'The critical faculty hesitates before the magnitude of Mr Henry James's work. His books stand on my shelves in a place whose accessibility proclaims the habit of frequent communion' - Joseph Conrad