In the summer of 1875, a quiet revolution began in Boston with the launch of Wide Awake, a magazine that promised to be the antithesis of the sensationalist literature flooding the market. Daniel Lothrop, a publisher with a distinct evangelical worldview, envisioned a publication that would cultivate broad minds and pure hearts in American children between the ages of ten and eighteen. The first issue, dated July 1875, explicitly rejected the popular tropes of the era, warning readers that it contained nothing of the run-away-to-sea style for boys or the elope-and-be-happy incentives for girls that parents were so desperately trying to avoid. This was not merely a collection of stories; it was a moral compass for a generation, designed to steer young minds away from the perceived dangers of unchecked imagination and toward a path of responsible adulthood. The magazine's existence was a direct response to the anxieties of Victorian parents who feared that the stories children were reading would corrupt their morals or encourage reckless behavior. By establishing a clear boundary between entertainment and moral instruction, Lothrop created a space where children could explore the world without fear of being led astray.
The Literary Circle
The pages of Wide Awake became a gathering place for some of the most significant literary figures of the late nineteenth century, creating a unique ecosystem of talent that few magazines could match. Margaret Sidney, writing under the pen name Harriet Mulford Stone, began her career with the magazine in 1877, contributing the story Polly Pepper's Chicken Pie, which would eventually evolve into the beloved Five Little Peppers series. Her work was so well-received that editor Ella Farman Pratt encouraged her to expand the narrative, leading to a serialized run that would define the magazine's identity for years. The magazine also featured contributions from Edward Everett Hale, Sarah Orne Jewett, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, and Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman, each bringing their distinct voices to the pages. These writers were not merely hired hands; they were part of a community that included illustrators like Howard Pyle, William Thomas Smedley, Sol Eytinge Jr., and Frank T. Merrill, whose artwork brought the stories to life with a level of detail and emotion that was rare for the time. The collaboration between these authors and artists created a rich tapestry of American literature that resonated deeply with its young audience, making Wide Awake a cultural touchstone for the era.
The Editor's Journey
Ella Farman, the magazine's first editor, began her tenure from the quiet confines of her home in Battle Creek, Michigan, where she worked alongside her friend Emma L. Shaw to shape the early identity of Wide Awake. Their partnership was a testament to the collaborative spirit that defined the magazine's early years, as they navigated the challenges of editing a publication that aimed to be both educational and entertaining. In 1877, Farman and Charles Stuart Pratt, the magazine's art editor, were married, and Shaw returned to Michigan, marking a shift in the magazine's operational dynamics. Farman remained as editor until December 1891, guiding the publication through its formative years and establishing a reputation for quality and integrity. Her leadership was instrumental in maintaining the magazine's moral standards while allowing for creative freedom, a balance that would become the hallmark of Wide Awake. The transition of power to Elbridge Streeter Brooks, who had previously served as an associate editor at St. Nicholas Magazine, signaled a new chapter in the magazine's history, one that would ultimately lead to its merger and eventual transformation into St. Nicholas.
Wide Awake was more than just a collection of stories; it was a community where young readers could express themselves and connect with one another through the pages of the magazine. The section known as the Wide Awake Post Office allowed children to share letters about their homes and families, creating a sense of belonging and shared experience among readers from different parts of the country. The magazine also included word puzzles on a page called Tangles, which challenged readers to think critically and creatively, and a section called Wide Awake Athletics that encouraged physical activity and teamwork. These features were not mere add-ons; they were integral to the magazine's mission of fostering well-rounded individuals who were engaged with the world around them. The magazine's circulation never exceeded 25,000 subscribers, but its influence extended far beyond those numbers, as six issues were bound annually into attractive hardcover volumes known as Wide Awake Pleasure Books, which were marketed as gifts and became cherished possessions for many families. This approach to publishing ensured that the magazine's impact was not limited to the monthly delivery but extended into the homes and hearts of its readers, creating a lasting legacy of engagement and connection.
The Five Little Peppers
The story of the Five Little Peppers, written by Harriet Mulford Stone under the pen name Margaret Sidney, became the most popular serialized narrative in the history of Wide Awake, capturing the imagination of readers and defining the magazine's identity for years. The series began in 1877 with the story Polly Pepper's Chicken Pie, which was followed by Phronsie Pepper's New Shoes in 1878, and eventually expanded into a full series that was serialized in the magazine before being published as novels by D. Lothrop Company. The popularity of the Five Little Peppers was such that Daniel Lothrop, the magazine's founder, made biweekly trips to New Haven to meet with Stone, eventually marrying her in 1881. This personal connection between the publisher and the author underscored the importance of the series to the magazine's success, and the stories continued to be serialized in Wide Awake until its final issue in 1893. The Five Little Peppers were not just characters in a story; they were symbols of resilience, family, and the values that Wide Awake sought to instill in its young readers, making them an enduring part of American children's literature.
The Chautauqua Connection
In 1882, Wide Awake expanded its reach by introducing a 16-page supplement called the Chautauqua Young Folks' Reading Union, which was designed to complement the magazine's content with educational lectures and courses in self-improvement. The supplement was part of a broader movement led by the Chautauqua Institution, which had started as a summer school for Sunday School teachers and had grown to include a wide range of educational programs. The books listed in the supplement's reading course were all published by D. Lothrop Company, creating a symbiotic relationship between the magazine and the publishing house. However, the supplement was not included in the bound volumes marketed as Wide Awake Pleasure Books, and it was discontinued in 1888, marking the end of this particular initiative. Despite its relatively short lifespan, the Chautauqua Young Folks' Reading Union represented an ambitious attempt to integrate education and entertainment, reflecting the magazine's commitment to fostering intellectual growth alongside moral development.
The Final Chapter
The end of Wide Awake came abruptly on the 18th of March 1892, when Daniel Lothrop died unexpectedly, leaving his widow to take over the responsibilities of running the book and magazine publishing business. The financial difficulties that followed his death were severe, and none of the Lothrop magazines lasted long after his passing. The final issue of Wide Awake, dated August 1893, was 144 pages long and contained the concluding chapters of two serialized stories, marking the end of an era. In a heartfelt announcement, the magazine declared that it would merge with St. Nicholas Magazine, urging its loyal readers to follow the beloved publication into its new home. The merger was a pragmatic decision, driven by the need to survive in a challenging economic climate, but it also represented a bittersweet conclusion to a publication that had done so much to shape the literary landscape of the late nineteenth century. The final issue of Wide Awake was a testament to the magazine's enduring legacy, as it served as a bridge between the past and the future, ensuring that the values and stories that had defined Wide Awake would continue to live on in the pages of St. Nicholas.