James Hammond Trumbull
Encyclopedia
James Hammond Trumbull was an American
scholar and philologist.
He was born in Stonington, Connecticut
. He studied at Tracy's Academy in Norwich and at Yale University
from 1838, but ill-health prevented his graduation, he was enrolled in 1850 and received an honorary LLD in 1871. He settled in Hartford
and was assistant-secretary of state of Connecticut in 1847-1852, Connecticut state librarian in 1854, assistant-secretary again in 1858-1861, and (Republican) Secretary of the State
in 1861-1866. He was a prominent member of the Connecticut Historical Society
, of which he was president from 1863 to 1889. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences
in 1872. He died in Hartford.
His works include a number about the history of Connecticut, such as Historical Notes on some Provisions of the Connecticut Statutes (1860–1861) and The True Blue Laws of Connecticut (1876). His studies of Native American dialects
led to The Composition of Indian Geographical Names (1870), The Best Methods of Studying the Indian Languages (1871), Indian Names of Places in Connecticut (1881) and other similar works.
One of his brothers was the author Henry Clay Trumbull
, and one of his sisters was the author and entomologist Annie Trumbull Slosson
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
scholar and philologist.
He was born in Stonington, Connecticut
Stonington, Connecticut
The Town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic...
. He studied at Tracy's Academy in Norwich and at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
from 1838, but ill-health prevented his graduation, he was enrolled in 1850 and received an honorary LLD in 1871. He settled in Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
and was assistant-secretary of state of Connecticut in 1847-1852, Connecticut state librarian in 1854, assistant-secretary again in 1858-1861, and (Republican) Secretary of the State
Secretary of the State of Connecticut
The Secretary of the State of Connecticut is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is an elected position in the state government and has a term length of four years....
in 1861-1866. He was a prominent member of the Connecticut Historical Society
Connecticut Historical Society
The Connecticut Historical Society is the official state historical society of Connecticut. Established in Hartford in 1825, the CHS is one of the oldest historical societies in the nation....
, of which he was president from 1863 to 1889. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
in 1872. He died in Hartford.
His works include a number about the history of Connecticut, such as Historical Notes on some Provisions of the Connecticut Statutes (1860–1861) and The True Blue Laws of Connecticut (1876). His studies of Native American dialects
Indigenous languages of the Americas
Indigenous languages of the Americas are spoken by indigenous peoples from Alaska and Greenland to the southern tip of South America, encompassing the land masses which constitute the Americas. These indigenous languages consist of dozens of distinct language families as well as many language...
led to The Composition of Indian Geographical Names (1870), The Best Methods of Studying the Indian Languages (1871), Indian Names of Places in Connecticut (1881) and other similar works.
One of his brothers was the author Henry Clay Trumbull
Henry Clay Trumbull
Henry Clay Trumbull was an American clergyman and author, born on June 8, 1830, at Stonington, Connecticut, and educated at Williston Northampton School. He became a world famous editor, author, and pioneer of the Sunday School Movement. Poor health kept him from formal education past the age of...
, and one of his sisters was the author and entomologist Annie Trumbull Slosson
Annie Trumbull Slosson
Annie Trumbull Slosson was an author and entomologist. She was the daughter of Gurdon Trumbull and Sarah Ann Trumbull of Stonington, Connecticut. Her father, Gurdon Trumbull was originally from Norwich...
.