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Author Essay

21 February 2018

William Cullen Bryant

William Cullen Bryant was born on November 3, 1784 at Cummington, Massachusetts,

starting young he was interested in books. In his life spam he went on doing different careers

such as, studying law to become an attorney, to changing onto becoming part owner of The New

York Evening Post to doing translations, he had many achievements. Furthermore, many would

not be interested in books as a kid but once they surround you, it takes over. Within his years

alive, he wrote “Thanatopsis”, “To a waterfowl” and “Poems” and many more, he even did

translations. He was motivated at a young age, throughout his life he would stand up for others

and one whom never loses their ambition to change what he believes in. He was an encouraging

role model, he knew exactly what steps to take to inspire others and spread his thoughts

throughout his poems.

To begin with, Bryant at a young age was interested in books, he wrote his first verse at

age eleven, “This young poet was part of a large family where there were tons of books.”

(Goldman) he was into reading and poetry at a young age because they were easy access for him.

At age thirteen teen he wrote “The Embargo”, he was demanding the resignation of President

Jefferson. In 1810, he entered at Williams College, he was there for a year until he could not

afford it, “Because of finances and in hopes of attending Yale, he withdrew without graduating.”

(Britannica) but luckily he went on to studying law for about four years at Worthington and
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Bridgewater. During his time as an attorney he got to be published in The North American

Review in 1817 for “Thanatopsis”, that was an outbreak, he became famous. After a year he then

published “To a Waterfowl”, he wrote that in times when he would doubt himself and did not

believe in himself. Somehow, Bryant was still interested in law even after writing those poems,

he was then admitted to the bar at age twenty-one. He spent ten years being an attorney in

Plainfield. He was successful on being an attorney, later in Bryant’s life he met his wife Frances

Fairchild at age 26. After his wife passed, he then moved to New York City in 1825 and he

worked at New York Review in being a coeditor.

In addition, Bryant continued working at New York Review for two years till he went on

to work for The Yew York Evening Post as editor. In two years after being just an editor, Bryant

was offered a higher position, such as the Chief editor, “… 1829 he became editor in chief and

part owner and continued in this position until his death” (Britannica) he went to the lowest chain

of command to part owner in 1829. His life was changing drastically, his life style was also

changing. He would make better decisions. His mind set was positive he would no longer doubt

himself or his decisions. He would make smart investments, “His careful investment of his

income made Bryant wealthy” (Britannica). Which made him forget about his financial

problems. His wealth would come from those investments. Ever since he was young back in

college he would have financial problems, but he no longer worried.

Lastly, his wealth brought out the best of him, he would sponsor for arts and letters. He

spent about 49 years being an Editor at The New York Evening Post. In 1843, he finally settled

in New York City, his last years were spent on translating. For example, Bryant translated The

Iliad in 1870, in the following year he then translated The Odyssey in 1871. He also, stood up for
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slavery, and abolition, “… he joined the Democratic party and made the Post an organ of free

trade, workingmen’s rights, free speech, and abolition” (Britannica). He did many good things.

Bryant was an outstanding poet and attorney, he got to do what he wanted which was

write poems and also excel in being an attorney. He came out of a situation and made a better

outcome from it. Even when his wife past, he moved forward and moved places to better his

career. He never gave up, even when he was put in a tough situation. Bryant’s life was spent

working even if his career changed in his lifetime, he never stopped doing what he loved to do.
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Works Cited

"Bryant, William Cullen." Britannica Biographies, 3/1/2012, p. 1. EBSCOhost

Goldman, Phyllis Barkas. "William Cullen Bryant." Monkeyshines on Great American

Authors, Jan. 1996, p. 107. EBSCOhost

John Boman, Editor. "William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878)." Cambridge Dictionary of

American Biography, Jan. 2001, p. 1. EBSCOhost

"To a Waterfowl." Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature, Letter T. EBSCOhost