The Works of Sinclair Lewis Lewis, (Harry) Sinclair (1885-1951), American novelist, whose naturalistic style and choice of subject matter was much imitated by later writers. He replaced the traditionally romantic and complacent conception of American life with one that was realistic and even bitter. Lewis was born in Sauk Center, Minnesota, on February 7, 1885, and was educated at Yale University. From 1907 to 1916 he was a newspaper reporter and a literary editor. In Main Street (1920) Lewis first developed the theme that was to run through his most important work: the monotony, emotional frustration, and lack