Charles Major
Charles Major was an American novelist born in 1856 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He spent much of his life in Shelbyville, Indiana, where he was educated in public schools and attended Michigan University. After being admitted to the Indiana bar in 1877, Major practiced law for most of his career, briefly stepping into politics as a Democrat when he was elected to the Indiana legislature. However, he chose not to pursue a second term and withdrew from public life.
Major is best known for his historical romance novels, particularly "When Knighthood Was in Flower" (1898), which gained significant popularity, selling over two hundred thousand copies and maintaining a spot on The New York Times best-seller list for more than two years. His other notable work, "Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall" (1902), also achieved considerable success. Major's works, influenced by his studies of English and French history, continue to be published and are particularly appreciated by young readers today. He passed away in 1913 due to liver cancer.
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Charles Major
Author
- Born: July 25, 1856
- Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Died: 1913
- Place of death: Shelbyville, Indiana
Biography
Charles Major, best known as a novelist, was born in 1856 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Stephen and Phoebe (Gaskill) Major. Charles moved with his parents to Shelbyville, Indiana, as a young teen and lived there the remainder of his life. He was educated at public schools, attended Michigan University, and was admitted to the Indiana bar association in 1877. Major practiced law the remainder of his career, leaving practice briefly when he was elected to the Indiana legislature as a Democrat. He refused nomination to a second term and left public life for good. In the late 1880’s, he married Alice Shaw of Shelbyville.
Major was a student of English and French history, studies that are reflected in his works. His first novel, When Knighthood Was in Flower (1898), sold more than two hundred thousand copies in two years and stayed on the The New York Times best-seller list for more than two years. The extensively researched novel is a historical romance set in the time of Henry VIII. Another novel by Majors, Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall (1902), was an equally successful work of the same genre. Majors continued to write other books in the same style and genre. These two historical romances were scripted as plays by Paul Kester.
Major died from liver cancer in 1913. His books remain in print for an audience of juvenile readers.