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Frank Harris

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Frank Harris was a writer and editor with a very busy life.

Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12
Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12

He was born in Galway, Ireland, in 1856 to Welsh parents. His father, Thomas Vernon Harris, was a naval officer. Harris moved to the United States when he was just 12 years old. He arrived in New York City without much money. To survive, he worked many hard jobs. He was a boot black and a porter. He even worked as a laborer on the Brooklyn Bridge. These early experiences helped him write his book, The Bomb.

Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12
Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12

His path to becoming a writer was not easy. After working in New York, he moved to Chicago. He worked as a hotel clerk and then a manager. He even spent time working as a cowboy. Later, he went to the University of Kansas to study law. He earned a degree and joined the Kansas state bar. However, he did not want to be a lawyer. He wanted to focus on literature instead. He moved back to Europe around 1882 to find a new career.

Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12
Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12

In Europe, Harris became a famous journalist and editor. He lived in many cities like London, Paris, and Athens. He edited several important magazines, such as the Saturday Review. This job was a major success for him. He worked with very famous people during this time. These friends included H. G. Wells and George Bernard Shaw. Harris also wrote many books and short stories. He wrote about Shakespeare and even tried to write plays. One of his plays was called Mr. and Mrs. Daventry.

Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12
Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12

Harris is most remembered for his huge autobiography. It is called My Life and Loves. He published it in four volumes between 1922 and 1927. This book was very famous but also very controversial. Many countries banned it because it described private things. Some people thought he exaggerated his adventures. A magazine once said he only told the truth when his imagination ran out. He also edited Pearson's Magazine in the United States. During the Great War, one issue was even banned from the mail.

Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12
Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12

Frank Harris lived a life that crossed many different worlds. He was born in Ireland and became an American citizen in 1921. He moved between the United States and Europe many times. He lived through big changes in history, like World War I. He died of a heart attack in Nice, France, in 1931. He was 75 years old when he passed away. He was buried at the Cimetière Sainte-Marguerite. His many books and stories still tell us about his colorful life.

Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12
Frank Harris, Vanity Fair, 1913-11-12
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