Shelby  County  Indiana
Biographical  Sketches

Charles  Major


My Last Book Report
by George Young

          Before I could even read a single word on my own, my grandmother had already made sure I knew the stories of “The Bears of Blue River” and “Uncle Tom Andy Bill” by heart.  She read them to me so many times that I could probably have recited whole chapters without ever looking at a page. Long before I ever sounded out a sentence in school, I already knew who Balser Brent was, and Tom and Jerry felt like dear old friends.
          Now, I’ll admit something right up front: I was not exactly a model student.  “Lazy” might be a kinder word for it.  So, when book report time came around each year in grade school, I didn’t waste much time thinking about it.  I already had my two books picked out.  Every.  Single.  Time.
          Why read something new when I already knew two books inside and out?
          So, year after year, I turned in book reports on the same two Charles Major classics.  I didn’t reread them.  I didn’t take new notes.  I simply rewrote what I already knew, maybe changing a sentence here or there so it looked “fresh.”  Looking back, I’m amazed, and very grateful, that my teachers never got together and compared my so-called masterpieces.  If they had, my academic career might have taken a very different path.
          At the time, I truly believed those two books were all Charles Major had ever written.  As far as I knew, he was the “Bears of Blue River guy,” and that was that.
          As it turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
          Charles Major wrote many books, some of them even more popular than my two favorites. So, as a kind of long-overdue apology to Mrs. McNamara, Mrs. McDonald and a few other teachers who deserved better effort from me, I decided it was finally time to write one last book report.  This time, I would do real research instead of recycling the same old material.
          Charles Major  was born in Indianapolis on July 25, 1856, in a house that once stood on the site of the present Indianapolis City Library.  When he was 14, his family relocated to Shelbyville, Indiana, the town that would shape both his legal and literary life.  He attended local schools, graduating in 1872, with a particular fondness for English literature and history, interests that foreshadowed his future career.
          He continued his education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for three years before returning home to study law under his father.  In 1877, he was admitted to the Indiana bar and soon established his own practice in Shelbyville.  Though he initially devoted himself diligently to the profession, his ambitions gradually shifted.  A brief venture into public life followed:  he served as city clerk in 1885 and represented Shelby County in the Indiana General Assembly during the 1886-87 session.  The experience proved sufficient for him; politics held little lasting appeal.
          In 1883, Major married  Alice Shaw,  a woman noted for her strong character and literary inclinations.  Together, they maintained a welcoming home on North Harrison Street, later the site of the Cow Palace.  Major cultivated an impressive personal library filled with rare and carefully collected volumes.  In 1895, Charles was president of the WiHub Circle, Shelbyville’s elite literary club that still exists today.
          By the close of the century, the pull of writing had overtaken his legal career.  After the publication of his first novel, he closed his law office in 1899 and turned his full attention to literature, soon becoming a prominent literary figure of the turn of the 20th century.  Known not only for his prolific output of novels and magazine articles but also for his commanding presence, Major was described as a man of striking physique, with dark gray hair and blue eyes, and a brilliant conversationalist whose affable manner marked him as a true gentleman in the classical sense.
          The “Bears of Blue River” statue, however, offered me a different kind of adventure.  More than once, our kindly principal, Mr. Mullins, had to gently remind me by shouting, “GEORGE, get your butt off that statue before you kill yourself.”
          The sculpture was designed by  Mary Elizabeth Stout  while she was living in Paris, using a French boy as her model for  Balser Brent.  It was funded by a $2,000 bequest from Alice Shaw Major, the author’s wife, about $36,000 in today’s dollars.  Originally placed at the school on East Franklin Street, the statue was moved to the Public Square in 1980 and restored in 2017.  It stands today, reminding visitors of Shelbyville’s literary legacy, its frontier imagination and of one small boy who probably should have stayed off the bronze bears.
          Charles Major’s literary career began with remarkable success upon the publication of “When Knighthood Was in Flower” in 1898, issued under the pseudonym Edwin Caskoden.  The novel quickly achieved widespread popularity, appearing on The New York Times bestseller list by 1901 and becoming one of the defining historical romances of its era.
          Set in early 16th-century Tudor England, the narrative centers on Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, whose enforced political marriage to Louis XII of France conflicts with her love for Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk.  Major’s treatment of courtly intrigue, romantic loyalty and chivalric idealism—rendered in accessible prose and driven by dramatic pacing—captured a broad readership.  The work’s cultural impact was reinforced through multiple adaptations, including early silent films (1908, 1922) and Walt Disney’s 1953 production “The Sword and the Rose,” solidifying Major’s reputation within popular historical fiction.
          Major’s subsequent novel, “The Bears of Blue River” (1901), represents a significant shift toward American regionalism and remains his most enduring contribution to Midwestern literature.  Set in the early Indiana frontier, the novel follows Balser Brent, a young frontiersman whose development is framed through both human and natural challenges.  His relationship with two orphaned bear cubs—Tom and Jerry—introduces a sentimental dimension that coexists with themes of survival, moral fortitude and the formation of character.  The work reflects turn-of-the-century nostalgia for the frontier and participated in the broader cultural project of mythologizing early American settlement.
          Major returned to European historical romance with “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall” (1902), a commercially successful novel centered on familial conflict and romantic defiance within an English aristocratic setting.  Its popularity led to a theatrical adaptation in 1903 and a silent film version in 1924. This success was followed by “Yolanda: Maid of Burgundy” (1903), which extended Major’s engagement with medieval European settings and further emphasized themes of chivalry, political intrigue and personal honor.
          With “A Forest Hearth” (1904), Major again turned to Indiana’s past, offering a detailed portrayal of frontier life in the 1830s. The novel combines romantic narrative with a textured depiction of settlement, underscoring the tensions between wilderness and emerging social order.  This regional focus continued to distinguish Major’s work from purely European historical romance.
          In “A Gentle Knight of Old Brandenburg” (1906), set during the Thirty Years’ War, Major explores the persistence of ethical idealism amid widespread violence and political instability.  Through the character of Hans von Buelow, the narrative juxtaposes chivalric values with the harsh realities of early modern warfare, maintaining the author’s characteristic blend of romance and historical reconstruction.
          “Uncle Tom Andy Bill” (1908) marks a return to American subject matter, presenting a semi-humorous yet vivid account of boyhood in rural Indiana. Through episodic adventures, Major evokes both the dangers and the formative experiences of frontier youth, contributing to early 20th-century juvenile and regional literature. (IMHO his 2nd bestest book)
          Also in 1908, Major published “The Touchstone of Fortune” (expanded in 1912), a Restoration-era narrative set during the reign of Charles II. Framed as a retrospective memoir, the novel examines the interplay of ambition, loyalty and chance within a morally ambiguous court society.  Its emphasis on fluctuating fortune reflects a more complex engagement with historical causality and individual agency.
          In “The Little King” (1910), Major turned to the formative years of Louis XIV, portraying the vulnerabilities and political tensions surrounding the future monarch’s childhood.  The work combines biographical narrative with dramatized historical context, emphasizing the development of authority under conditions of instability.
          “Sweet Alyssum” (1911) represents a departure from historical romance toward domestic fiction set in the contemporary American Midwest.  Centered on a female protagonist whose moral influence shapes her community, the novel foregrounds themes of social cohesion, character and ethical constancy, aligning with broader trends in early 20th-century sentimental literature.
          Finally, “Rosalie,” published posthumously in 1925, reflects a further evolution in Major’s style.  Eschewing the adventure-driven plots of his earlier works, the novel offers a restrained, character-centered narrative focused on interpersonal relationships within a small-town setting.  Its emphasis on interiority and moral reflection suggests a late-career shift toward quieter, more contemplative fiction, while still affirming Major’s enduring thematic concern with integrity and the shaping force of personal virtue.
          Beyond his success as a novelist, Charles Major maintained a steady presence in the popular magazines of his day, contributing short stories, serialized fiction and occasional essays to widely read national periodicals. These publications were not merely supplemental to his books—they were instrumental in building and sustaining his audience.  Many readers first encountered his work in monthly installments, where anticipation and accessibility worked hand in hand.
          The demands of serialization left a clear imprint on Major’s storytelling.  His narratives often unfolded in vivid, self-contained episodes, marked by brisk pacing, strong visual scenes and well-timed cliffhangers designed to draw readers back issue after issue.  This structure, born of the magazine format, carried over into his novels and became a defining feature of his style.
          His periodical contributions spanned the turn of the century and into the 1910s, appearing in some of the era’s most widely circulated magazines:

“The Fisherman Who Caught a Bear” (1900) – Everybody’s Magazine, December
“The Wolf Hunt” (1901) – Everybody’s Magazine, April
“On the Stroke of Nine” (1901) – Everybody’s Magazine, June
“A Castle on the Brandywine” (1901) – Everybody’s Magazine, September
“How Christmas Came to the Little King” (1909) – Ladies’ Home Journal, December
“The Devil’s Tombstone” (1913) – Woman’s World, May

          Through these magazine appearances, Major remained a familiar and anticipated voice in American households, his stories arriving not as distant volumes on a shelf, but as regular guests in the living rooms of his readers.
          Though literary tastes have shifted, Charles Major’s work remains an important example of early popular historical fiction. His stories helped shape how Americans imagined both their frontier past and the broader sweep of history, leaving a legacy that endures in literature, theater and public memory.
          Taken together, Charles Major’s books and magazine writings reflect a career devoted to storytelling at a time when fiction played a central role in American cultural life.  While his popularity has faded from modern bestseller lists, his work remains an important record of how Americans once imagined their past—both on the frontier and across the Atlantic—and why stories of bravery, loyalty and adventure resonated so deeply with readers of his era.
          And in conclusion, just like I used to write back in grade school (to hit my word count), I think Charles Major is Shelbyville’s very bestest author.  He wrote fun, exciting stories that people can still enjoy today.  His books help us learn about history and use our imagination.
          Even though he is gone, we should still honor him.  I think Shelbyville should name him the Svillian Poet Laureate to show how proud we are. (Yes, I know, he didn’t write poems.)  It would be a great way to remember him and say thank you for everything he gave us.
          If you have any questions, you just might find me on the Square … still trying to climb that statue.
The End.

Published in "The Addison Times" May 2-3, 2026.  Reposted here with permission of the author, George Young.


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          In the summer of 1898 a new book was issued from the press of the Bowen-Merrill Company, at Indianapolis, which gained almost instantaneous notice from the press and public.  It proved to be a historical novel under the title of "When Knighthood Was in Flower."  It purported to have been written by Edwin Caskoden,* but soon rumor prevailed that this was a pseudonym, and search began for the real author.  He was soon found in the person of a young lawyer at Shelbyville, as yet unknown to fame, and the gossip growing out of the discovery intensified the desire to see the book.  It was soon universally in demand and its popularity increased with each reading, and it was soon heralded as one of "the six best sellers."  It deserved all of its reputation, too, as it was by far the most entertaining romantic novel ever published in Indiana, and one of the best of its class that had appeared in the United States since the Civil war.  The plot dealt with one of the most romantic episodes of English history, and the story was told with a skill that denoted a master of literary craft.  Its characteristics were, consistent development of the characters, cleverness of dialogue, rush and sweep of incident, dramatic handling of the situations, and above all, the forcible distinctness and effective simplicity of the narrative.  It brought to its author instantaneous fame and fortune, gave him recognition as one of the successful novelists of the day and established his name permanently among the literary lights, whose productions have shed such luster upon Indiana letters.  As the most distinguished citizen of Shelby county, there is a natural curiosity to hear what manner of man he is, and no apology is offered for giving his biography at some length.
          The family is of English origin and the name has for more than a generation been familiar in Central Indiana.  Stephan Major was born in the county of Longford, Ireland, near Edgeworthtown, and his early education was supervised by  Miss Maria Edgeworth,  the novelist, and her brother,  Doctor Edgeworth.  Later he went to the Isle of Wight, entered one of the old English colleges and prepared himself for the law.  When a young man he came to America, studied law for a time under  Judge Switzer, of Columbus, Indiana, and afterward located at Shelbyville, for the practice.  Shortly after he removed to Indianapolis and met with such success at the bar as to lead to his election as Circuit Judge, a position which he held for a number of years.  His circuit covered six counties, including Marion and Indianapolis, and he became noted for his legal acumen, his poise and his bright-minded methods of administering justice.  He was especially popular with younger members of the bar, who sought him for advice, and among his students was the late  Thomas A. Hendricks.  He returned to Shelbyville in 1870, and resumed practice, but on July 4, 1883, his valuable life came to an end and his remains were interred in Crown Hill cemetery at Indianapolis.  He [Stephen] married  Phebe A., daughter of  Dr. George Gaskell, the latter a pioneer physician of Shelbyville, and a prominent man of his time.  He [Dr. Gaskell] married  Jane Allen, related to  Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, and the families on both sides were of Virginia stock.   Judge and Mrs. Major had three sons,  Stephan F.,  Charles  and  Edward Ames. 
          Charles Major, the second son, was born at Indianapolis, July 25, 1856, in a house that stood where the city library now stands.  He was in his fourteenth year when the family removed to Shelbyville.  He entered the city schools and graduated in 1872.  His hobbies in school were English literature and history.  In 1877 he was admitted to the Shelby County Bar, and paid rather close attention to his practice for some time, but of late years, his entire attention has been given to literary work.  His first success was speedily followed by others, and numerous fine stories have proceeded from his versatile pen since "When Knighthood Was in Flower" flashed upon an unexpecting public, to fascinate and enthrall millions of readers in all parts of the world.  His second book "The Bears of Blue River," is regarded as a capital story for boys and, assisted by its profuse illustrations, became popular.  "Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall," a strong rival of his first book, has been characterized as a romance brilliant and refined, filled with the passion as old as humanity and appealing with special fascination to lovers of the "old time entombed." "A Forest Hearth" is more in line with modern times, though it is not lacking in the flavor of genuine romance and has proven quite popular.  His "Yolanda" is a story of Burgundy in the sixteenth century.  "Uncle Tom, Only Bill," a book for boys, old and young, was published in 1908.  "A Gentle Knight of Old Brandenburg," a story of the time of Frederick the Great s boyhood, is his latest book.  Mr. Major developed the literary taste very early, and as far back as his eleventh year we find him indulging in a burlesque of "The Merchant of Venice."  He gives an interesting account of the genesis of his first two books.  In Guizot s "A History of France," he found a reference to Mary Tudor s marriage to Louis XI, of France, and the bare statement that she was at the time in love with Charles Brandon, a handsome favorite of her brother, Henry VIII. In a 1548 edition of "Hall s Curious Chronicle," he found that after Louis XI s death she wrote to Brandon from Paris, intimating that if he wished to marry her it would be better for him to come to Paris without obtaining her brother s consent than it would to wait until her brother prohibited the marriage.  The romantic situation interested Mr. Major and he began to wonder about the incidents whose sum total went to make up the chief events.  History was silent, but the novelist s imagination was equal to the occasion and produced the storms and episodes which lend such romantic charm to "When Knighthood Was in Flower."  The romantic marriage of  Dorothy Vernon and John Manners, the son of her father s enemy, was known in outlines, but the filling-in incidents, which constitute the chief charm of stories, were entirely absent.  It was necessary to reconstruct them, and it was by doing this with such skill that Mr. Major placed the reading world under renewed obligations to his genius. "Knighthood" met with honors seldom bestowed in the most successful novel.  It was dramatized for  Julia Marlowe,  and under the management of that brilliant actress proved one of the most popular plays of the day. It was also converted into a comic opera set to music, and in that form made a third fortune for the fortunate possessor of the copyright.
          September 27, 1883, Mr. Major married  Miss Alice Shaw, a woman of striking personality and pronounced literary tastes.  Mr. Major lives in a charming home surrounded by a library of choice books, many of them rare and costly, which he has secured through collectors from time to time for years.  He cares nothing for politics, but in 1885 was elected City Clerk, and in the following year was sent to represent the county of Shelby in the lower House of the Legislature.  He served through the session of 1886-1887, but one term was enough.
          In personal appearance Mr. Major is a man of striking physique with dark gray hair, blue eyes, an unusually brilliant conversationalist, with the affability and genial address that bespeak the gentleman.
From pp. 338-340 of Chadwick s  History of Shelby County Indiana, published 1909
Submitted by Don T. Mitchell

* Note how similar this is to Cuskaden, another Shelby County, Indiana, immigrant family from Ireland.

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            Charles Major  is the second of three children, born to  Stephen and Phoebe (Gaskill) Major.  His early boyhood was spent in Indianapolis, where until the age of thirteen he attended a private institution of learning, obtaining a thorough rudimentary education in the meantime.  In 1869, he accompanied his parents to Shelbyville, in which city he pursued his literary studies until 1872, graduating from the high school that year, and the following year entered the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, where he remained until 1875. Returning to Shelbyville after completing his literary education, he began the study of law, under the able instruction of his father and Alfred Major, and in 1877, was admitted to the bar, and at once entered upon the successful practice of his profession.  In 1881, he effected a co-partnership with  H. S. Downey  and the firm thus constituted, continued until 1884, since which time Mr. Major has been alone in the practice.  He is and always has been an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, and as such was elected in 1885, City Clerk of Shelbyville, the duties of which position he discharged until his election to the General Assembly the following year.  His race for the Legislature in the primary election was made against one of the most prominent men of the county, and his majority of votes attests to his personal popularity and standing.  He defeated his competitor in the election by a majority of 520, and has proved himself an able and trustworthy member of the House, participating in all the deliberations and taking an active part in the debates upon the leading measures presented for discussion.  As a lawyer Mr. Major, though still a young man, has already won some prominence in the profession.  He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities and a friend and liberal patronizer of every movement having for its object the welfare of the city and county.  In 1883, he married  Miss Alice Shaw,  of Shelby County, Ind.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, Brant & Fuller, 1887, "Shelbyville Sketches,"  page 509-10.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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            Charles Major  (July 25, 1856 February 13, 1913) was an American lawyer and novelist.
            Born to an upper-middle class Indianapolis family, Major developed an interest in both law and English history at an early age and attended the University of Michigan from 1872 through 1875, being admitted to the Indiana bar association in 1877. Shortly thereafter he opened his own law practice, which launched a short political career, culminating in a year-long term in the Indiana state legislature.
            Writing remained an interest of Major, and in 1898, he published his first novel, When Knighthood Was in Flower under the pseudonym Edwin Caskoden. The novel about England during the reign of King Henry VIII was an exhaustively researched historical romance, and became enormously popular, holding a place on bestselling book lists for nearly three years. The novel was adapted into a popular Broadway play by Paul Kester in 1901, premiering at the Criterion Theatre that year. The novel also launched relatively successful film adaptations in 1908 and 1922.
            With a successful writing career, Major gradually lessened his legal obligations, closing his law practice over a year after his first novel, in 1899. Published in 1902, his third novel, Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall, another historical romance, this time set in Elizabethan times, rivaled the success of his first. Once again, the novel was adapted for the theater by Paul Kester, and saw a film release in 1924 starring Mary Pickford.
            Major continued to write and publish several additional novels, to varying degrees of success, as well as a number of children's adventure stories, most set in and around his native state of Indiana. Charles Major died of liver cancer on February 13, 1913, at his home in Shelbyville, Indiana.
            In 2006, Shelbyville, Indiana native Eric Linne wrote and copyrighted a motion picture screenplay adaptation of Mr. Major's novel The Bears of Blue River.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Major

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