Publication Date
4-1-2021
Document Type
Article
First Page
44
Last Page
59
Abstract
The most famous Maine humorist of the twentieth century was John Gould, but little is known of this prominent literary comedian and his contribution to Maine literature, folklore, and history. Gould was a weekly contributor to the Christian Science Monitor for over 60 years, writing humorous pieces about life in Maine, Maine folktales, and even Maine history. He was the author of thirty books, which have been overlooked by scholars as a rich source of creative non-fiction about life in Maine. This paper provides a brief biography and an analysis of his contribution to our understanding of Maine folklore, history, and humor.
David B. Raymond is Chairman of the Arts and Sciences Department at Northern Maine Community College where he has taught United States and Maine history for the past thirty years. He has published essays and reviews in such journals as Maine History, The Concord Saunterer, and the Historical Journal of Massachusetts, among others.
Recommended Citation
Raymond, David B.. "Improving the Silence: The Life and Literary Career of John Gould of Maine." Maine History 54, 1 (2021): 44-59. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mainehistoryjournal/vol54/iss1/6