Page:Pseudonyms of authors.djvu/10



Fictitious names have been adopted by writers from the earliest historic times in nearly all countries, whether of a political, religious, or scientific character; either as a signature wholly different (pseudonym); transposing the letters, or portions of their real name (anagram); a special phrase having direct reference to the subject matter treated (phraseonym); aspiring to a title, or a supposed aristocratic name (titlenym, or anstonym); or, simply employing one or more initials of the author (initialism). Various names have been given to combinations of partial abbreviates in connection with dashes, stars, and other characters, but the entire list can properly be comprised in those above noted, adding the important one of anonyms, or works that are presented to the public anonymously.

Among the reasons which writers have for adopting false signatures, may be mentioned,—a genuine modesty with those who decline to place their true name before the public until their work has passed through the terrible crucible of the merciless critic, so that if it should not succeed and be generally condemned, the real author would be known to only a few friends; fears of personal injury if their name is disclosed, where direct attacks are made upon motive or character; many times the real name would serve to limit the sale of a work, notably, where the private character of the writer has been tainted, or when totally unknown to the public; the idea is often entertained, that a work published anonymously, or over a pseudonym, will have a larger sale