Charles Chauncey Burr
Encyclopedia
Charles Chauncey Burr was an American
journalist, author, and publisher. A native of Maine
, he became an intimate friend of Edgar Allan Poe
and his family, and published a number of magazines and newspapers.
, the former mistress of Ludwig I of Bavaria
, and is credited with having written her autobiography. At some point he acquired the title "Reverend," though scholars do not know how; Jay Hubbell, writing in PMLA, remarks that even his birth and death dates are uncertain. The authors of A general history of the Burr family note that their questionnaire was not returned; they did know, apparently, that he was a well-known lecturer and had published a newspaper in Hoboken, New Jersey
, called the Hudson Co. Register.
Yaw
, Democrat; and the New York-based The Old Guard
. In his youth, he appears to have been a "militant reformer"--he praised the Quaker abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier
's poem "The Reformer" in the first issue of Nineteenth Century, and called Whittier "one of the best the purest of all poets"; in later issues of the Nineteenth Century "he published materials indicating a strong anti-slavery bias." Later in life, though, he changed sides completely; the American Civil War
finds him a Copperhead
. The first issue of The Old Guard contains a lengthy invective by Burr against abolitionist preachers such as Henry Ward Beecher
, saying that their "savage war-cries" indicate they have sided with the devil.
and Charles Sumner
and criticizes some fellow Democrats for attempting to steal "Black Republican thunder," stating such Democrats are to Republicans as mulattoes (he also calls them mongrels) are to negroes. He also participated in the 1872 Democratic National Convention.
, whose poetry he admired and imitated (in anonymous poems published in The Old Guard
, and had assisted Poe physically and financially during the latter's visit to Philadelphia, one of his last jaunts before his death. Poe wrote to his mother-in-law on 14 July 1849, thanking Burr for his help: "I am indebted for more than life itself to B[urr]....When all failed me, he stood my friend, got me money, and saw me off in the cars for Richmond."
Burr repaid Poe posthumously by publishing a number of pro-Poe articles in The Old Guard, even poems clearly based on Poe's. Of special value to Poe scholars is an article published in the June 1866 issue, "Poe and his Biographer, Griswold," in which Burr presents documentary evidence that countered some of the criticism leveled against Poe by Rufus Wilmot Griswold
, including letters by those who knew Poe. Burr also officiated at the marriage of another famous writer of the era, George Lippard
, held on a rock at sunset above the Wissahickon.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist, author, and publisher. A native of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, he became an intimate friend of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
and his family, and published a number of magazines and newspapers.
Biography
Burr had a variegated career (he had been the publicity agent for Lola MontezLola Montez
Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, Countess of Landsfeld , better known by the stage name Lola Montez, was an Irish dancer and actress who became famous as a "Spanish dancer", courtesan and mistress of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, who made her Countess of Landsfeld. She used her influence to institute liberal...
, the former mistress of Ludwig I of Bavaria
Ludwig I of Bavaria
Ludwig I was a German king of Bavaria from 1825 until the 1848 revolutions in the German states.-Crown prince:...
, and is credited with having written her autobiography. At some point he acquired the title "Reverend," though scholars do not know how; Jay Hubbell, writing in PMLA, remarks that even his birth and death dates are uncertain. The authors of A general history of the Burr family note that their questionnaire was not returned; they did know, apparently, that he was a well-known lecturer and had published a newspaper in Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
, called the Hudson Co. Register.
Yaw
Magazines and politics
Burr founded a number of magazines including the Philadelphia-based periodical Nineteenth Century (first issue published January 1847); the Bergen County, New JerseyBergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, Democrat; and the New York-based The Old Guard
The Old Guard
The Old Guard was an American magazine published from 1863 to 1867 by Chauncey Burr in New York City. Burr was a staunch enemy of the American Civil War as well as a defender of slavery...
. In his youth, he appears to have been a "militant reformer"--he praised the Quaker abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier
John Greenleaf Whittier
John Greenleaf Whittier was an influential American Quaker poet and ardent advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. He is usually listed as one of the Fireside Poets...
's poem "The Reformer" in the first issue of Nineteenth Century, and called Whittier "one of the best the purest of all poets"; in later issues of the Nineteenth Century "he published materials indicating a strong anti-slavery bias." Later in life, though, he changed sides completely; the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
finds him a Copperhead
Copperheads (politics)
The Copperheads were a vocal group of Democrats in the Northern United States who opposed the American Civil War, wanting an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates. Republicans started calling anti-war Democrats "Copperheads," likening them to the venomous snake...
. The first issue of The Old Guard contains a lengthy invective by Burr against abolitionist preachers such as Henry Ward Beecher
Henry Ward Beecher
Henry Ward Beecher was a prominent Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, abolitionist, and speaker in the mid to late 19th century...
, saying that their "savage war-cries" indicate they have sided with the devil.
Political activism after the Civil War
After the war, he remained active in politics. In an 1866 speech to the Anti-Abolition State Rights Society, he castigated Republicans such as Thaddeus StevensThaddeus Stevens
Thaddeus Stevens , of Pennsylvania, was a Republican leader and one of the most powerful members of the United States House of Representatives...
and Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner was an American politician and senator from Massachusetts. An academic lawyer and a powerful orator, Sumner was the leader of the antislavery forces in Massachusetts and a leader of the Radical Republicans in the United States Senate during the American Civil War and Reconstruction,...
and criticizes some fellow Democrats for attempting to steal "Black Republican thunder," stating such Democrats are to Republicans as mulattoes (he also calls them mongrels) are to negroes. He also participated in the 1872 Democratic National Convention.
Friendship with Poe
Burr had become good friends with Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
, whose poetry he admired and imitated (in anonymous poems published in The Old Guard
The Old Guard
The Old Guard was an American magazine published from 1863 to 1867 by Chauncey Burr in New York City. Burr was a staunch enemy of the American Civil War as well as a defender of slavery...
, and had assisted Poe physically and financially during the latter's visit to Philadelphia, one of his last jaunts before his death. Poe wrote to his mother-in-law on 14 July 1849, thanking Burr for his help: "I am indebted for more than life itself to B[urr]....When all failed me, he stood my friend, got me money, and saw me off in the cars for Richmond."
Burr repaid Poe posthumously by publishing a number of pro-Poe articles in The Old Guard, even poems clearly based on Poe's. Of special value to Poe scholars is an article published in the June 1866 issue, "Poe and his Biographer, Griswold," in which Burr presents documentary evidence that countered some of the criticism leveled against Poe by Rufus Wilmot Griswold
Rufus Wilmot Griswold
Rufus Wilmot Griswold was an American anthologist, editor, poet, and critic. Born in Vermont, Griswold left home when he was 15 years old. He worked as a journalist, editor, and critic in Philadelphia, New York City, and elsewhere. He built up a strong literary reputation, in part due to his 1842...
, including letters by those who knew Poe. Burr also officiated at the marriage of another famous writer of the era, George Lippard
George Lippard
George Lippard was a 19th-century American novelist, journalist, playwright, social activist, and labor organizer. Nearly forgotten today, he was one of the most widely-read authors in antebellum America. A friend of Edgar Allan Poe, Lippard advocated a socialist political philosophy and sought...
, held on a rock at sunset above the Wissahickon.
External links
- Full-text access to The Old Guard at Cornell University LibraryCornell University LibraryThe Cornell University Library is the library system of Cornell University. In 2010 it held 8 million printed volumes in open stacks, 8.5 million microfilms and microfiches, more than of manuscripts, and close to 500,000 other materials, including motion pictures, DVDs, sound recordings, and...