William Dean Howells, American novelist, literary critic, and playwright (born 1837)

William Dean Howells was an American realist novelist, literary critic, playwright, and diplomat, nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters". He was particularly known for his tenure as editor of The Atlantic Monthly, as well as for the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria, and the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day", which was adapted into a 1996 film of the same name.

May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 234 days remain until the end of the year.