William Cullen Bryant

Date of Birth: November 3, 1794

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: June 12, 1878

Biography

William Cullen Bryant was an American romantic poet, journalist, and long-time editor of the New York Evening Post. Born on November 3, 1794, in Cummington, Massachusetts, Bryant was a precocious child who started writing poetry at an early age. His first published poem, “The Embargo,” appeared in 1808 when he was just 13 years old. Bryant attended Williams College but left before completing his degree, opting instead to study law. He was admitted to the bar in 1815 and began practicing law in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. However, his passion for literature never waned. In 1817, his poem “Thanatopsis” was published in the North American Review, bringing him considerable acclaim. In 1825, Bryant moved to New York City to pursue a career in journalism. He became the editor of the New York Evening Post, a position he held for more than 50 years. Under his leadership, the newspaper became a powerful advocate for civil liberties, free trade, and the abolition of slavery. Bryant was also a significant figure in the American Romantic movement, known for his nature poetry and his use of blank verse. His major works include “To a Waterfowl,” “The Prairies,” and “The Yellow Violet.”

5 Interesting Facts about William Cullen Bryant

1. Bryant’s poem “Thanatopsis,” which made him famous, was initially published anonymously because the editor of the North American Review did not believe such a mature work could be written by someone so young.

2. He was an advocate for Central Park in New York City and played a significant role in its creation.

3. Bryant was a friend and supporter of Abraham Lincoln and used his position at the New York Evening Post to support Lincoln’s candidacy.

4. Besides his poetry and journalism, Bryant was also an accomplished translator, translating works of Homer and other classical authors into English.

5. He was an early supporter of the Republican Party and used his influence to promote its anti-slavery platform.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Cullen Bryant

1. “Truth crushed to earth shall rise again.”

2. “To him who in the love of Nature holds Communion with her visible forms, she speaks A various language.”

3. “Go forth under the open sky, and list To Nature’s teachings.”

4. “The groves were God’s first temples.”

5. “So live, that when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan, which moves To that mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures for William Cullen Bryant’s net worth are not available, it is estimated that he achieved a comfortable level of wealth through his career in journalism and his literary works. Adjusted for inflation, his highest net worth could be considered to be in the range of several million dollars by today’s standards.

Children

William Cullen Bryant had two daughters, Julia Sands Bryant and Frances Bryant Godwin. Both daughters survived into adulthood and were part of Bryant’s close-knit family.