Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Flagg, Wilson 1805-1884

Naturalist; born in Beverly, Mass., Nov. 5, 1805; was educated at Phillips Andover Academy; entered Harvard in 1823 and three months later left that college to study medicine, which he never practised. When a young man he lectured on natural science, and made a pedestrian tour from Tennessee to Virginia and then home. Later he became interested in political discussions and contributed articles to the Boston Weekly magazine and the Boston Post. In 1840 he wrote almost exclusively for agricultural journals, and his first book was based on his articles in Hovey's magazine of horticulture. Later he contributed largely to the Atlantic monthly. He was employed in the Boston custom-house from 1844 to 1848, and removed to Cambridge, Mass., in 1856. Among his publications are Studies in the field and forest; Woods and by-ways in New England; and Birds and seasons of New England. In 1881 these three books were republished, with new material, under the titles of Halcyon days; A year with the trees; and A year with the birds. He also wrote Mount Auburn, its scenery, its beauties, and its lessons. He died in Cambridge, Mass., May 6, 1884.