Ella Wheeler Wilcox was one of the leading writers of her age. While she cannot be classed among the leading authors of romance, her place as a writer of artistic and heart-appealing poetry, is acknowledged. She is an author of grace and purpose and always appeals to the finer sentiments of the reading world, but as a writer of romance that appeals to the thoughtless, everyday reader, she is a failure. The reason for it is easily discerned. Her pen is always brimful of thought and feeling. Not only the mind, but the heart and every sense plays to the tune of a writer who is in advance of her time. The story of "An Ambitious Man," is exactly what would be expected from Mrs. Wilcox. The contrast of wealth and poverty, of love and hate, of sorrow and happiness, are pictured as only an artist of rare merit can paint. It is a love story, but not of the Laura Jean Libby order.
