1. William Cullen Bryant

2. 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

3. 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

4. He practiced law for 10 years to support himself, but wrote poetry in his spare time

5. 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