James G. Brooks
James Gordon Brooks (September 3, 1801 – February 20, 1841) was an American newspaper editor and poet who sometimes published under the pen name "Florio."
Brooks was born in Red Hook, New York in 1801 and spent much of his childhood in Poughkeepsie.[1] His father was an officer in the Revolutionary army.[2]
In 1819, Brooks graduated from Union College, where he studied law.[2] After graduation, he took on a position as editor of the Morning Courier in New York, where he remained until 1829.[1][2]
In 1829, Brooks married Mary Elizabeth Aikin, who had written poetry under the name "Norna."[2][3] Later that year, the couple published a collection of their poems entitled The Rivals of Este: and Other Poems. Brooks had previously published his poems under the pen name "Florio."[1][2][4] They had a daughter, Constantina E. Brooks, who also became a poet.[5]
After leaving the Courier, Brooks edited newspapers in other parts of the country, including in Winchester, Virginia; Rochester, New York; and Albany, New York.[2]
In 1841, Brooks died in Albany after a long illness.[2][6][7]
Bibliography[edit]
- Brooks, James G.; Brooks, Mary E. (1828). The Rivals of Este: and Other Poems. New York: J. & J. Harper. OCLC 191251360.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "James G. Brooks". New-York Mirror and Ladies' Literary Gazette. 5 (29). Open Court Publishing Co. 1828-01-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cleveland, Charles Dexter (1859). A compendium of American literature, chronologically arranged; with biographical sketches of the authors. Harvard University. Philadelphia, J.A. Bancroft. pp. 488–490.
- ^ May, Caroline, ed. (1854). The American Female Poets: With Biographical and Critical Notices. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blariston, p. 281.
- ^ "Married." Commercial Advertiser (New York), January 24, 1829.
- ^ Miss Brooks' Sudden Death Last Evening. The Argus (Albany, NY), December 7, 1910.
- ^ The Register (Onondaga Hollow, NY), May 19, 1822.
- ^ "Death of 'Florio.'" Liberator (Boston) March 5, 1841.