Owen Wister (1860-1938)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Author of "The Virginian" (1902), which became the prototype for the Western novel. This work defined the cowboy as folk hero & coined the phrase, "When you call me that, smile!" Born here, Wister was a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Owen Wister, born in the Philadelphia area in 1860, drew on his travels in the American West to write "The Virginian" in 1902, the book that set the mold for the Western novel. Its taciturn cowboy hero and famous line, "When you call me that, smile!", helped fix the image of the rugged, honorable frontiersman in the popular imagination. Though a lifelong easterner, Wister did as much as anyone to turn the cowboy into an American folk hero.
Why it matters
Wister's work invented a genre and shaped how Americans have romanticized the West ever since, proving that the frontier's most enduring legacy was often a story told back East.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- National Constitution Center5.4 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia5.4 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House5.6 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center5.6 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Illadelph Glass Gallery5.6 mi away · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallery5.6 mi away · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir3.6 mi away
- Harbison's Dairy Milk Bottle3.9 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge4.1 mi away
- Philadelphia Zoo4.4 mi away
- Rocky Steps4.6 mi away
- Philly Gun Range4.8 mi away · North Percy Street
Food & drink
- Independence Mall Cafe5.6 mi away · 50 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
- Burger King5.6 mi away
- Dunkin'5.6 mi away · 634 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters5.6 mi away
- Philly Pretzel Factory5.7 mi away
- Time & Peace5.7 mi away · 36 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center - Philadelphia5.2 mi away · 1227 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center5.2 mi away · 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Clarion Suites Philadelphia5.3 mi away · 1010 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Sleep Inn Center City5.3 mi away · 1020 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA5.4 mi away · 1200 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City5.4 mi away · 1100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Owen Wister
Themes & tags
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