Josiah Gilbert Holland
Encyclopedia
Josiah Gilbert Holland was an American novelist and poet
who also wrote under the pseudonym
Timothy Titcomb. He helped to found and edit Scribner's Monthly (afterwards the Century Magazine), in which appeared his novels, Arthur Bonnicastle, The Story of Sevenoaks, Nicholas Minturn. In poetry he wrote "Bitter Sweet" (1858), "Kathrina", the lyrics to the Methodist hymn There's a Song in the Air
, and many others.
, on July 24, 1819, Holland grew up in a poor family struggling to make ends meet. After a time, Josiah was forced to work in a factory to help the family. He then spent a short time studying at Northampton (Massachusetts)
High School before withdrawing due to ill health. Later he studied medicine at Berkshire Medical College, where he took a degree in 1844.
Hoping to become a successful physician, he established a medical practice in Springfield, Massachusetts
, but his attempt proved unsuccessful. In 1845 he married Elizabeth Luna Chapin. After giving up medicine in 1848, he left Western Massachusetts and took a teaching position in Richmond, Virginia
, and later in Vicksburg, Mississippi
.
In 1850 Holland returned to Western Massachusetts and became an editor of the Springfield Republican
newspaper, working with the well known editor, Samuel Bowles
. Many of the essays he wrote for the paper in the decade before the Civil War
were collected and published in book form and established his literary reputation.
His first book was a History of Western Massachusetts. He followed in 1857 with an historical novel, Bay Path, and a collection of essays entitled Titcomb's Letters to Young People, Single and Married in 1858.
In 1862, when Samuel Bowles took an extended trip to Europe, Holland temporarily assumed the duties as editor-in-chief of the Springfield Republican. After the Civil War he reduced his editorial duties and wrote many of his most popular works, including the Life of Abraham Lincoln (1866), and Katrina (1869).
In 1868 Holland traveled to Europe, and while there he met Russel Smith. Together they developed the idea of starting a magazine. When they returned to the United States in 1869, the two men collaborated with Charles Scribner
to publish Scribner's Monthly. The first issue was published in 1870 with Holland as editor.
These years in New York were also productive for his own literary efforts. During the 1870s he published three novels: Arthur Bonicastle (1873), Sevenoaks (1875), and Nicholas Miniturn (1877). His poetry volumes included The Marble Faun (1872), The Mistress and the Manse (1874), and The Puritan's Guest (1881).
Holland died in 1881, at the age of 62, in New York City.
Although his literary products are rarely read today, during the late nineteenth century they were enormously popular, and more than half a million volumes of Holland's writings were sold. He is also remembered today for his contributions as an editor. Holland and his wife were frequent correspondents and family friends of poet Emily Dickinson
.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
who also wrote under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Timothy Titcomb. He helped to found and edit Scribner's Monthly (afterwards the Century Magazine), in which appeared his novels, Arthur Bonnicastle, The Story of Sevenoaks, Nicholas Minturn. In poetry he wrote "Bitter Sweet" (1858), "Kathrina", the lyrics to the Methodist hymn There's a Song in the Air
There's a Song in the Air
There's a Song in the Air is a Christmas carol and Methodist hymn. The lyrics were written by American poet and novelist Josiah Holland in 1872. The music was written by Karl P. Harrington in 1905. The lyrics focus on the Nativity of Jesus and the recognition of Jesus as king....
, and many others.
Biography
Born in Belchertown, MassachusettsBelchertown, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 4,886 households, and 3,517 families residing in the town. The population density was 245.9 people per square mile . There were 5,050 housing units at an average density of 95.8 per square mile...
, on July 24, 1819, Holland grew up in a poor family struggling to make ends meet. After a time, Josiah was forced to work in a factory to help the family. He then spent a short time studying at Northampton (Massachusetts)
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
High School before withdrawing due to ill health. Later he studied medicine at Berkshire Medical College, where he took a degree in 1844.
Hoping to become a successful physician, he established a medical practice in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, but his attempt proved unsuccessful. In 1845 he married Elizabeth Luna Chapin. After giving up medicine in 1848, he left Western Massachusetts and took a teaching position in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, and later in Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
.
In 1850 Holland returned to Western Massachusetts and became an editor of the Springfield Republican
Springfield Republican
The Republican is a newspaper based in Springfield, Massachusetts. It is owned by Newhouse Newspapers, a division of Advance Publications. It played important roles in the United States Republican Party's founding, Charles Dow's career, and the invention of the pronoun "Ms."-Beginning:Established...
newspaper, working with the well known editor, Samuel Bowles
Samuel Bowles (journalist)
Samuel Bowles III was an American journalist born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Beginning in 1844 he was the publisher and editor of The Republican , a position he held until his death in 1878....
. Many of the essays he wrote for the paper in the decade before the 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...
were collected and published in book form and established his literary reputation.
His first book was a History of Western Massachusetts. He followed in 1857 with an historical novel, Bay Path, and a collection of essays entitled Titcomb's Letters to Young People, Single and Married in 1858.
In 1862, when Samuel Bowles took an extended trip to Europe, Holland temporarily assumed the duties as editor-in-chief of the Springfield Republican. After the Civil War he reduced his editorial duties and wrote many of his most popular works, including the Life of Abraham Lincoln (1866), and Katrina (1869).
In 1868 Holland traveled to Europe, and while there he met Russel Smith. Together they developed the idea of starting a magazine. When they returned to the United States in 1869, the two men collaborated with Charles Scribner
Charles Scribner I
Charles Scribner I was a New Yorker who, with Isaac D. Baker , founded a publishing company that would eventually become Charles Scribner's Sons.-Biography:...
to publish Scribner's Monthly. The first issue was published in 1870 with Holland as editor.
These years in New York were also productive for his own literary efforts. During the 1870s he published three novels: Arthur Bonicastle (1873), Sevenoaks (1875), and Nicholas Miniturn (1877). His poetry volumes included The Marble Faun (1872), The Mistress and the Manse (1874), and The Puritan's Guest (1881).
Holland died in 1881, at the age of 62, in New York City.
Although his literary products are rarely read today, during the late nineteenth century they were enormously popular, and more than half a million volumes of Holland's writings were sold. He is also remembered today for his contributions as an editor. Holland and his wife were frequent correspondents and family friends of poet Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was an American poet. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, to a successful family with strong community ties, she lived a mostly introverted and reclusive life...
.