Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How did Paul Dresser help Theodore Dreiser during his depression?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Theodore Dreiser
His first published novel Sister Carrie had a limited printing because of the controversial subject matter.
In 1901, following the commercial disappointment of his first novel, Sister Carrie, and the accumulation of various personal and marital troubles, Theodore Dreiser fell into a state of suicidal depression. His brother, Paul Dresser, who was a well-known songwriter, intervened to help him by arranging for Theodore to receive professional treatment in a sanitarium. This support proved vital, as Dreiser subsequently recovered his spirits and went on to achieve significant success in his literary career.1