Richard H. Sylvester (writer)
Encyclopedia
Richard H. Sylvester was one of the pioneer journalist
s of Iowa
.
, New Hampshire
and attended school at Phillips Exeter Academy
, enrolled at Yale College
with the Class of 1851 but left at the end of his sophomore year, and graduated at the law school of Ann Arbor
. In 1854, he came to Iowa and continued his law studies with Judge James Grant
and John F. Dillon
at Davenport
. In 1855, he went to Iowa City and reported the proceedings of the general assembly
. Later he established the Iowa City State Reporter, a Democratic
paper. He was chosen superintendent of schools in Johnson County, Iowa
and founded the Iowa State Press, after conducting it several years sold it to John P. Irish. During the Civil War
, he was a war correspondent of the New York World
. In 1862, he was nominated by the Democratic party for Secretary of State
but was not elected. He went south and was for some time editor of the Memphis Argus, and secretary of the Howard Association
. He located in St. Louis where he was managing editor of the St. Louis Daily Times. In 1880, he removed to Washington, D. C., where he was associated with Frank Hatton on the Washington Post as managing editor until he died in 1896. Mr. Sylvester was an able and graceful writer, spending nearly all of his mature life in journalism. His eulogy
on Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood
was one of the finest productions of the times. He was the originator of the Memorial Bridge
project over the Potomac
to commemorate the war and link the North with the South.
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
s of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
.
Biography
He was born in CharlestownCharlestown, New Hampshire
Charlestown is a town in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,114 at the 2010 census. The town is home to Hubbard State Forest and the headquarters of the Student Conservation Association....
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
and attended school at Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking...
, enrolled at Yale College
Yale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
with the Class of 1851 but left at the end of his sophomore year, and graduated at the law school of Ann Arbor
University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School is the law school of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Founded in 1859, the school has an enrollment of about 1,200 students, most of whom are seeking Juris Doctor or Master of Laws degrees, although the school also offers a Doctor of Juridical...
. In 1854, he came to Iowa and continued his law studies with Judge James Grant
James Grant
James Grant may refer to:*James Grant , American author, journalist, and publisher of Grant's Interest Rate Observer*James Grant , California painter and sculptor...
and John F. Dillon
John F. Dillon
John Francis Dillon was one of the first members of the United States Federal Radio Commission, the forerunner of the Federal Communications Commission.-Biography:...
at Davenport
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
. In 1855, he went to Iowa City and reported the proceedings of the general assembly
Iowa General Assembly
The Iowa General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government of Iowa. Like the federal United States Congress, the General Assembly is a bicameral body, composed of the upper house Iowa Senate and the lower Iowa House of Representatives respectively...
. Later he established the Iowa City State Reporter, a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
paper. He was chosen superintendent of schools in Johnson County, Iowa
Johnson County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 130,882 in the county, with a population density of . There were 55,967 housing units, of which 52,715 were occupied.-2000 census:...
and founded the Iowa State Press, after conducting it several years sold it to John P. Irish. During 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...
, he was a war correspondent of the New York World
New York World
The New York World was a newspaper published in New York City from 1860 until 1931. The paper played a major role in the history of American newspapers...
. In 1862, he was nominated by the Democratic party for Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
but was not elected. He went south and was for some time editor of the Memphis Argus, and secretary of the Howard Association
Howard Association
Howard Association, a benevolent organization, was formed in Norfolk, Virginia during the 1855 Yellow Fever Epidemic which killed 1 in 3 residents of Norfolk and sister city Portsmouth in Hampton Roads. Contributions were used to set up a hospital and an orphanage, to feed the hungry and to bury...
. He located in St. Louis where he was managing editor of the St. Louis Daily Times. In 1880, he removed to Washington, D. C., where he was associated with Frank Hatton on the Washington Post as managing editor until he died in 1896. Mr. Sylvester was an able and graceful writer, spending nearly all of his mature life in journalism. His eulogy
Eulogy
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially one recently deceased or retired. Eulogies may be given as part of funeral services. However, some denominations either discourage or do not permit eulogies at services to maintain respect for traditions...
on Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood
Samuel J. Kirkwood
Samuel Jordan Kirkwood , was an American politician best known as Iowa's American Civil War Governor. He also served in the U.S. Senate and as U.S. Secretary of the Interior.-Early life and career:...
was one of the finest productions of the times. He was the originator of the Memorial Bridge
Arlington Memorial Bridge
The Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C. crosses the Potomac River, connecting the Lincoln Memorial and Columbia Island. The northeastern end of the bridge marks the western edge of the National Mall...
project over the Potomac
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
to commemorate the war and link the North with the South.