John Neal was an influential American writer, critic, editor, and activist known for his eccentric style and advocacy of American literary nationalism. He played a key role in promoting regionalism, advancing American art, and championing social causes such as women's rights and the abolition of slavery. Neal was also instrumental in establishing the American gymnastics movement. His work, spanning essays, novels, poems, and lectures, left a lasting impact on 19th-century American literature and culture.
