Cornelius Conway Felton
Cornelius Conway Felton was a prominent 19th-century scholar, translator, and author from Massachusetts, recognized for his contributions to Greek literature. Born to a financially struggling family, Felton's academic journey began at Harvard College, where he graduated in 1827 and served as an editor for the Harvard Register. He then worked as a teacher before returning to Harvard as a tutor, eventually becoming the Eliot Professor of Greek Literature in 1834. Felton's scholarly pursuits included extensive translations of German and Greek classics, as well as the publication of Greek textbooks and works by Modern Greek authors.
His travels to Europe, particularly to Greece, enriched his understanding of the language and culture, earning him admiration as the "American Professor." Felton's legacy includes his posthumously published work, "Greece, Ancient and Modern," which compiles his lectures at Harvard. He was known for his humility, maintaining a strong connection to his modest beginnings, which endeared him to individuals from various backgrounds, including academics and the working class. Felton passed away in 1862 while traveling to a Smithsonian Institute meeting, leaving behind a lasting impact on American classical scholarship.
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Subject Terms
Cornelius Conway Felton
Scholar
- Born: November 6, 1807
- Birthplace: West Newbury, Massachusetts
- Died: February 26, 1862
- Place of death: Chester, Pennsylvania
Biography
Cornelius Conway Felton, a nineteenth century scholar, translator, and author, was born in Massachusetts. He was the son of Cornelius Conway and Ann Morse Felton. Felton’s father was a poverty-stricken furniture maker. Felton was educated at Harvard College in Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1827. During his senior year at Harvard, Felton served as one of the editors of the Harvard Register. While attending college, Felton supported himself by working as a teacher at Round Hill School in Northampton, Massachusetts. After graduation, Felton taught for two years in Geneseo, New York before receiving an appointment at Harvard College as a tutor in Latin and Greek. Two years later, in 1832, he became professor of Greek. By 1834, Felton was appointed Eliot Professor of Greek Literature at Harvard. In 1838, Felton married Mary Whitney Felton. She died in 1845. In 1846, Felton married his second wife, Mary Louisa Cary of Boston. From 1853 to 1854, Felton traveled in Europe, and he spent five months of his journey in Greece. While in Greece, he devoted his time to studying the language and literature of modern Greece. He was well received by the people of Greece and was affectionately referred to as the “American Professor.” Felton visited Europe again in 1858. Upon his return in 1860, Felton was elected president of Harvard College.
Felton, whose literary accomplishments were extensive, was known as one of the foremost scholars in America. He translated several German and Greek literary classics and published several Greek textbooks and selections from Modern Greek writers. In 1862, while in route to Washington, D.C., to attend a meeting of the regents of the Smithsonian Institute, Felton died. The work most commonly associated with his name, Greece, Ancient and Modern, was posthumously published in 1867. This book was an accumulation of the lectures Felton delivered at Harvard College. Although Felton was one of the most renowned classical scholars of his time, he always remembered his humble origins. He was said to be a man who never lost his connection to the everyday experiences of common folk and was respected by all who met him, including academics, members of the upper social class, and working-class people.