Richard Alsop
Richard Alsop was an American poet and member of the influential literary group known as the "Connecticut Wits," which emerged from Yale University in the late 18th century. Born into a prosperous family in Middletown, Connecticut, Alsop demonstrated early talent in literary analysis and continued his education at Yale, where he became involved with peers such as Timothy Dwight and John Trumbull. The Connecticut Wits were dedicated to promoting a modern literary culture while often engaging in satire against their more liberal contemporaries. They produced significant works, including satirical poetry that contributed to a unique literary tradition in Connecticut. Among Alsop's notable writings is a tribute to George Washington, titled "Poem Sacred to the Memory of George Washington," alongside other poems and translations. His literary contributions earned him recognition, leading to an honorary master of arts degree from Yale in 1798. Alsop continued to publish and sell books throughout his later life in New York and Connecticut until his death.
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Richard Alsop
Writer
- Born: January 23, 1761
- Birthplace: Middletown, Connecticut
- Died: August 20, 1815
- Place of death: Connecticut or New York
Biography
Richard Alsop was born to a prosperous merchant in Middletown, Connecticut. As a youth, Alsop was tutored privately and then sent to a school in Norwich, Connecticut. Early on, he showed a talent for literary analysis. After his father’s death, Alsop sporadically attended Yale University. While he was at Yale, Alsop became a member of an informal student group called the “Connecticut Wits,” also known as the “Hartford Wits.” This informal group included, at various times, Timothy Dwight, John Trumbull, David Humphreys, Lemuel Hopkins, and Joel Barlow. The “Connecticut Wits” were originally formed to promote the modernization of the university. However, their greatest accomplishments were the satirical verses in which they criticized their more liberal colleagues. These satirical verses were printed in two volumes, The Political Green-House for the Year 1798 and The Echo, with Other Poems. The “Connecticut Wits” are credited with creating a type of literature that was unique to Connecticut. Further, they established a national literary tradition while expressing their conservative political and religious views. Alsop is known for a poem that eulogized George Washington, aptly titled Poem Sacred to the Memory of George Washington. He he also wrote several other verses and edited Captivity and Adventures of J. R. Jewett Among the Savages of Nootka Sound. Alsop was also a natural linguist and spoke several languages, a skill that allowed him to translate works into English. Later in life, his popularity and literary eminence helped him garner an honorary master of arts degree from Yale in 1798. >From 1801 until his death, Alsop published works and sold books in New York and Connecticut.