Charles G. Shanks
Encyclopedia
Charles G. Shanks was a 19th century journalist who was an associate editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal. In New York
he worked for the New York Star and the Albany Times. His older brother, William F. G. Shanks, was a war correspondent who later edited
The Bond Buyer
of New York City
. His sister, Sallie G. Shanks, was a contributor to Harper's Bazaar
for three decades.
in 1841. He served as an amanuensis
for George D. Prentice
, who edited the Courier-Journal prior to the American Civil War
. He fought for the Union Army
with the 22nd Kentucky Infantry
. He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant
and was an aide de camp to General by the end of the conflict.
at the conclusion of the Civil War. He was appointed state librarian of the New York Public Library
by New York Secretary of State
Allen C. Beach
. Shanks served under John Bigelow
on the Panama Canal
investigating committee, a position he was appointed to
by Governor Samuel J. Tilden
. Afterwards he was an Albany correspondent for several New York newspapers.
at his home on Chapel Street.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
he worked for the New York Star and the Albany Times. His older brother, William F. G. Shanks, was a war correspondent who later edited
The Bond Buyer
The Bond Buyer
The Bond Buyer is a century-old daily national trade newspaper based in New York City and focused on covering the municipal bond industry. It is published Monday through Friday, except holidays...
of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His sister, Sallie G. Shanks, was a contributor to Harper's Bazaar
Harper's Bazaar
Harper’s Bazaar is an American fashion magazine, first published in 1867. Harper’s Bazaar is published by Hearst and, as a magazine, considers itself to be the style resource for “women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture.”...
for three decades.
Army service
Shanks was born in Shelbyville, KentuckyShelbyville, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,085 people, 3,822 households, and 2,549 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,333.5 people per square mile . There were 4,117 housing units at an average density of 544.4 per square mile...
in 1841. He served as an amanuensis
Amanuensis
Amanuensis is a Latin word adopted in various languages, including English, for certain persons performing a function by hand, either writing down the words of another or performing manual labour...
for George D. Prentice
George D. Prentice
George Dennison Prentice was the editor of the Louisville Journal, which he built into a major newspaper in Louisville, Kentucky. He attracted readers by satire as well as exaggerated reporting and support of the Know-Nothing Party in the 1850s. His writing was said to contribute to rabid...
, who edited the Courier-Journal prior to the American 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 fought for the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
with the 22nd Kentucky Infantry
22nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
The 22nd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 22nd Kentucky Infantry was organized at Louisa, Kentucky and mustered in on January 20, 1862....
. He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant
and was an aide de camp to General by the end of the conflict.
Librarian, committee member, and journalist
Shanks became the night editor of the New York HeraldNew York Herald
The New York Herald was a large distribution newspaper based in New York City that existed between May 6, 1835, and 1924.-History:The first issue of the paper was published by James Gordon Bennett, Sr., on May 6, 1835. By 1845 it was the most popular and profitable daily newspaper in the UnitedStates...
at the conclusion of the Civil War. He was appointed state librarian of the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
by New York 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....
Allen C. Beach
Allen C. Beach
Allen Carpenter Beach was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:...
. Shanks served under John Bigelow
John Bigelow
John Bigelow was an American lawyer and statesman.-Life:Born in Malden-on-Hudson, New York, John Bigelow, Sr.graduated from Union College in 1835 where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Society and the Philomathean Society, and was admitted to the bar in 1838...
on the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
investigating committee, a position he was appointed to
by Governor Samuel J. Tilden
Samuel J. Tilden
Samuel Jones Tilden was the Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency in the disputed election of 1876, one of the most controversial American elections of the 19th century. He was the 25th Governor of New York...
. Afterwards he was an Albany correspondent for several New York newspapers.
Marriage and death
Shanks was married to Amy C. Chamberlain. He died in Albany in 1895 of heart diseaseHeart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
at his home on Chapel Street.