Classic American Authors of the 19th and 20th Century, Annie Trumbull Slosson
The Rhuckus book history and provenance feature for November 2025 looks at the "local color" writing movement in post-Civil War American history.
Book Title: White Christopher Year: 1901
Author: Annie Trumbull Slosson
Notable Provenance or Past Owner: Dr. Mary Ropes Lakeman
Genre, Style, or Movement: Local Color
White Christopher is a beautifully preserved antique novel by celebrated American writer Annie Trumbull Slosson, a key voice in 19th-century New England literature. Slosson was known for her warm, perceptive portrayals of rural life—blending humor, compassion, and sharp insight into human nature. Published around 1900, White Christopher offers readers a window into her deeply observed world and reflects her hallmark style: intimate, reflective, and rich with the charm of small-town New England.
About the Author:
Annie Trumbull Slosson (1838–1926) was a well-known New England author. Slosson was an important figure in the local-color movement, admired for her gifted depiction of the quirks, spirituality, and everyday rhythms of regional life. Her work is often noted for its insight into small-town life and the personalities that shaped it. Beyond her writing, she was also a passionate naturalist and entomologist—interests that shaped the attentive, finely detailed style of her fiction. White Christopher is one of the works that reflects her ability to capture the quiet beauty and emotional depth of everyday moments, making it a meaningful piece for readers who love classic American storytelling.
Notable Provenance:
This copy belonged to Dr. Mary Ropes Lakeman of Essex, Massachusetts, as indicated by her ex libris label in the book (not pictured.) Lakeman was both a suffragette and an early female physician—rare for her era. She advocated for women’s voting rights in the early 20th century and practiced medicine at a time when few women were permitted to do so. Her ownership adds meaningful historical depth to this volume, linking it not only to American literary history but also to the women’s rights and early medical movements.
About the Local-Color Movement
White Christopher comes from a moment in American literature when writers were capturing the distinct rhythms, voices, and landscapes of their home regions. This style—often called the local-color or regional movement—focused on everyday life, local customs, and vivid New England settings. Readers today value these works for the way they preserve a sense of time and place, especially rural life at the turn of the century.
