A Complicated Character

Of the many letters and documents that I’ve transcribed to date there are 155 written by or to Horton Howard, or that mention him. In his own letters he appears to be a caring man, full of energy and willing to take risks in his attempts to rebuild enough wealth to help each of his children to be well established in life. He also cares about the social injustices injustices of his time, including working for the abolition of slavery and the kidnapping of freedmen, and seeking reparation for the injustice done to the “Indians.”  In other letters, some writers mention Horton in a tone that is disparaging, and perhaps even full of dislike. It will be an interesting challenge to develop him as a sympathetic character while acknowledging a part of his personality that some found distasteful.