man of letters

American  

noun

1. a man engaged in literary pursuits, especially a professional writer.

2. a man of great learning; scholar.

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Etymology

Origin of man of letters

First recorded in 1635–45

Example Sentences

“Literature nowadays is a trade,” Milvain insists: Putting aside men of genius, who may succeed by mere cosmic force, your successful man of letters is your skillful tradesman.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mallon, a distinguished man of letters, moved to Manhattan at 32, holding a PhD from Harvard and a dissertation that became his acclaimed 1984 book, “A Book of One’s Own.”

From Los Angeles Times

In a climate that Mr. Snyder helped create, he billed himself as a businessman rather than as a man of letters.

From New York Times

Indeed, to those who have known only the courtly, controlled man of letters with the encyclopedic knowledge of classical music, the account may come as a shock.

From New York Times

Lives Lived: Paul Johnson, a prolific journalist, biographer and historian prized by conservatives, fashioned himself a man of letters in the great British tradition.

From New York Times