“the Poet of the Revolution;” born in New York City, Jan. 2, 1752; graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1771.
He was of
Huguenot descent, and evinced a talent for rhyming as early as the age of seventeen years, when he wrote a poetical
History of the Prophet Jonah.
He was in the
West Indies during a part of the
Revolutionary War, and while on a voyage in 1780 was captured by a British cruiser.
After his release he wrote many patriotic songs, and was engaged in editorial duties, notably on the
Democratic National gazette, of
Philadelphia, the organ of
Jefferson and his party.
He continued to edit and publish newspapers.
His productions contributed largely to animate his countrymen while struggling for independence.
An edition of his
Revolutionary poems, with a memoir and notes, by
Evert A. Duyckinck, was published in New York in 1865.
His poetry was highly commended by Scotch and English literary critics.
He died near
Freehold, N. J., Dec. 18, 1832.
