FROM THE BRYANT ROOM ARCHIVES
By Myrna Sloam, ©Nov/Dec 2003

In Celebration of the Birthday of William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878)

On November 3rd 1794, the birth of William Cullen Bryant was recorded in his mother's diary:
"Unwell. Seven at night a son born. Mamma and Mrs. Shaw were here."

This simple entry marked the beginning of a remarkable life. Born in Cummington, Massachusetts, the son of physician Peter Bryant and Sarah Snell Bryant, William Cullen Bryant is best known to us in Roslyn as the founder of a Reading Room, which went on to become our Bryant Library. Bryant's life however, played out on a much larger stage. He began writing poetry at a young age and although he worked first as a lawyer in Massachusetts, he moved to New York City in 1825 to pursue a career in journalism. Shortly after this move, he began his 50 year long tenure as Editor of the New York Evening Post newspaper.

Bryant was a dominant figure in 19th century America. Recognized and respected in the U.S. and Europe as a gifted poet, Bryant was also active on the political, social and artistic scenes. His editorials championed the rights of working people and spoke out against slavery. He was an early supporter of Abraham Lincoln and introduced Lincoln in New York City in 1860 on the stage at Cooper Union. Bryant was also known as an ardent nature lover. This is reflected in his poetry, as well as in the planning and planting of the grounds and gardens at Cedarmere, his Roslyn home, which he purchased in 1843.

Throughout his life, Bryant's interests were far-ranging. He was a founding member of the National Academy of Design. He was also a friend and supporter of the Hudson River School of painters, and his likeness can be seen in the Asher Durand painting, "Kindred Spirits." A believer in homoeopathy, Bryant was a founding member of the New York Medical Society. And, believing in the health effects of clean air and open space, Bryant was an early proponent for the building of Central Park.

As we celebrate his 209th birthday we are reminded of the following poem, written in Roslyn by Bryant on his 67th birthday:

The Third of November, 1861

Softly breathes the west-wind beside the ruddy forest,
Taking leaf by leaf from the branches where he flies.
Sweetly streams the sunshine, this third day of November,
Through the golden haze of the quiet autumn skies.

Tenderly the season has spared the grassy meadows,
Spared the petted flowers that the old world gave the new
Spared the autumn-rose and the garden's group of pansies,
Late-blown dandelions and periwinkles blue.

On my cornice linger the ripe black grapes ungathered;
Children fill the groves with the echoes of their glee,
Gathering tawny chestnuts, and shouting when beside them
Drops the heavy fruit of the tall black walnut tree.

Glorious are the woods in their latest gold and crimson,
Yet our full-leaved willows are in their freshest green.
Such a kindly autumn, so mercifully dealing
With the growths of summer, I never yet have seen.

Like this kindly season may life's decline come o'er me;
Past is manhood's summer, the frosty months are here;
Yet be genial airs and a pleasant sunshine left me,
Leaf, and fruit, and blossom, to mark the closing year!

Dreary is the time when the flowers of earth are withered;
Dreary is the time when the woodlands leaves are cast-
When, upon the hillside, all hardened into iron,
Howling, like a wolf, flies the famished northern blast.

Dreary are the years when the eye can look no longer
With delight on Nature, or hope on human kind;
Oh, may those that whiten my temples, as they pass me,
Leave the heart unfrozen, and spare the cheerful mind!

Permission to reproduce, publish or display whole text articles must be obtained from the Bryant Library Archivist.

 

Email: localhistory@bryantlibrary.org

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