Fitz-Greene Halleck
Fitz-Greene Halleck was an American poet born in Guilford, Connecticut, in 1790. He began his career in finance as a clerk and bookkeeper before turning to writing, where he gained recognition for his humorous works, particularly the "Croaker Papers," published in 1819. His writings offered a comic perspective on life in New York City, and he continued to produce notable poetry throughout his life, including the 1827 anonymous collection and "Young America: A Poem." Halleck's time in Europe in 1822 had a significant impact on his literary style and themes. In 1832, he transitioned to a position as a clerk for the prominent businessman Jacob Astor, who later bequeathed a generous sum to Halleck upon his death in 1849. This financial support allowed Halleck to retire in Guilford, where he focused on his writing until his death in 1867. Notably, after his passing, a monument was erected over his grave, marking the first memorial dedicated to a poet in the United States, underscoring his importance in American literary history.
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Subject Terms
Fitz-Greene Halleck
Poet
- Born: July 8, 1790
- Birthplace: Guilford, Connecticut
- Died: December 19, 1867
- Place of death: Guilford, Connecticut
Biography
Fitz-Greene Halleck was born in Guilford, Connecticut, in 1790. He was educated in common schools in the area, and from 1805 to 1811 he worked as clerk and bookkeeper for a local business. After he left his first bookkeeping job, Halleck took a position as a bookkeeper for a banking house. It was also at this time that Halleck began his writing career. In 1819, with the help of his friend Joseph Rodman Drake, Halleck published the Croaker Papers which gave a comic portrayal of life in New York. That same year, Halleck published his humorous Fanny.
Halleck visited Europe in 1822. His visit to Europe was said to influence Halleck’s later works. Halleck published his first solo collection of poems anonymously in 1827. In 1831, Halleck left his job at the banking house and became a clerk for Jacob Astor, a wealthy man in New York in 1832. Halleck was made the trustee of the Astor Library. When Astor died in 1849, he left a generous bequest to Halleck.
Halleck retired to his birthplace of Guilford, Connecticut, where he continued to work on his writing, publishing works such as Young America: A Poem. Halleck died in 1867 in Guilford. After his death, a group of his friends erected a monument to the poet over his grave. This was the first monument to be raised for a poet in the United States.