Tues July 11th - Chicago Literary Hall of Fame inducts its 14th class with Harlem Renaissance figure Nella Larsen (April 13, 1891-March 30, 1964), MacArthur Fellowship recipient Bette Howland (Jan. 28, 1937-Dec. 13, 2017), and celebrated Chicago newspaper columnist Finley Peter Dunne (July 10, 1867-April 24, 1936).

Special guests for evening included Martha Bayne, Chaz Ebert, Cat Evans, Mike Houlihan, James R. Sullivan and Rachel Swearingen as well as Jacob and Frank Howland, children of inductee Bette Howland. Evening's emcee J-L Deher-LeSaint. A reception follows the ceremony.

Nella Larsen, born in the Levee District in 1868, published two novels in her lifetime, yet regard for her work has only increased over the decades. A librarian and active part of Harlem's interracial arts scene, Larsen received critical acclaim for both novels, in particular the bold, important Quicksand (1928), an exploration of cross-cultural and interracial themes set partly in Chicago. Larsen's sophomore novel, Passing, posits that the divergent existences of two women who pass not only encompass a psychological realm but also manifest as a tangible embodiment of their actions. Upon the release of her second book, Larsen was the first African American woman awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship. Larsen received her education at Fisk University and later pursued nursing training at Tuskegee Institute, both of which shaped her perspective and influenced her writing.

A librarian and editorial worker for the University of Chicago Press, Bette Howland, like Larsen, made a vital, lasting impact, as her reputation only increased over time. Howland is an alum of the University of Chicago, and she also received her MFA from University of Iowa in 1967. Her debut effort, the memoir W-3 (1974), details her experiences as a patient in a Chicago hospital's psychiatric wing. In 1978 she won a Guggenheim fellowship. Howland's writing often explored themes of isolation, identity, and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. Her works, including "Blue in Chicago" and "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage," captured the essence of Chicago and its unique urban landscape; Howland's ability to depict the struggles and triumphs of everyday individuals in a precise and empathetic manner resonated with readers.

Finely Peter Dunne, a celebrated Chicago newspaper columnist, won over legions of fans with his creation Martin Dooley, a South Side, Irish saloonkeeper who espouses wisdom and wit on any variety of current events and socially significant themes. Introduced in the Chicago Evening Post in 1893, Mr. Dooley allowed Dunne to depict the experiences and viewpoints of Chicago's Irish community, addressing topics such as immigration, patriotism, and the struggles faced by Irish immigrants in the city. On a national scale, Mr. Dooley's "syndicated commentary" was also valued, as it "was a regular feature of the weekly meetings of the [White House] cabinet" in 1899. Eight volumes of Dunne's Dooley sketches were reprinted in book form.