William Cullen Bryant 1794-1878
He was born in Cummington, Massachusetts His father was a “country doctor” who taught him Greek and Latin His mother came from a family of clergy
He began writing poetry at 9 years old He wrote the 1st version of “Thanatopsis” at 19, which assured his literary future, although at the time he was studying to be a lawyer
He practiced law for 10 years to support himself, but wrote poetry in his spare time
Moved to New York City and became a journalist in 1825 By 1829, he had become editor-in-chief and part owner of the New York Evening Post He is one of the founders of the Republican political party