Harry Thurston Peck
Encyclopedia
Harry Thurston Peck was an American classical scholar, author, editor, and critic.
He was educated in private schools and at Columbia College
, graduating in 1881, where his literary gifts attracted wide attention. His address at the conclusion of that year's commencement exercises was "witty, pathetic, and fully of clever allusions" according to the New York Times. "Bouquets fell at his feet by the score as he bowed his way off the stage." Upon graduation he immediately joined the faculty as a Latin tutor, becoming a professor in 1888. In 1904, at the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Columnbia's founding, he was among several distinguished faculty members appointed to newly created chairs: he became Anthon Professor of Latin Language and Literature.
In addition to a distinguished academic publishing career, he wrote travel guides and produced translations and works for children under a number of pseudonyms.
Peck was a frequent and forceful contributor to magazines and newspapers. He was editor in chief of Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities
and editor of the Students' Series of Latin Classics and Columbia University Studies in Classical Philology. He served as the first editor in chief of The Bookman
magazine, worked on its staff from 1895 to 1906, and, in 1895, created the world's first bestseller
list for its pages. Peck was also editor in chief of the International Cyclopaedia from 1890 to 1901 and co-editor of the first edition of its successor, the New International Encyclopedia
(1902–1904).
In 1910, newspaper reports that Peck was being sued for breach of promise, that is, promise of marriage, by a former secretary included excerpts from his love letters. The imperious president of the university, Nicholas Murray Butler, though a longtime friend and former schoolmate, promptly terminated Peck's relationship with Columbia. Peck fought his dismissal without success. Among those who tried in various ways to support Peck's right to more considerate treatment or due process was another professor, Joel Spingarn
, who soon found himself dismissed as well.
Peck lived out his remaining years cut off from his former colleagues relying on income from occasional writing assignments. Increasingly depressed and unable to find work, he was sighted one day near the end of his life on the streets of Manhattan "walking in a dazed sort of way...., dressed, as was his custom, in a frock coat and silk hat, but both were extremely shabby. He passed, looking neither right nor left; he seemed entirely oblivious to his surroundings."
He committed suicide in Stamford, Conn.
on March 23, 1914. He was buried in Christ Church Cemetery in Greenwich, CT
.
Biography
Peck was born in Stamford, Conn.Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
He was educated in private schools and at Columbia College
Columbia College of Columbia University
Columbia College is the oldest undergraduate college at Columbia University, situated on the university's main campus in Morningside Heights in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1754 by the Church of England as King's College, receiving a Royal Charter from King George II...
, graduating in 1881, where his literary gifts attracted wide attention. His address at the conclusion of that year's commencement exercises was "witty, pathetic, and fully of clever allusions" according to the New York Times. "Bouquets fell at his feet by the score as he bowed his way off the stage." Upon graduation he immediately joined the faculty as a Latin tutor, becoming a professor in 1888. In 1904, at the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Columnbia's founding, he was among several distinguished faculty members appointed to newly created chairs: he became Anthon Professor of Latin Language and Literature.
In addition to a distinguished academic publishing career, he wrote travel guides and produced translations and works for children under a number of pseudonyms.
Peck was a frequent and forceful contributor to magazines and newspapers. He was editor in chief of Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities
Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities
Harpers Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiquities is an English-language encyclopedia on subjects of classical antiquity. It was edited by Harry Thurston Peck and published 1898 by Harper & Brothers in New York...
and editor of the Students' Series of Latin Classics and Columbia University Studies in Classical Philology. He served as the first editor in chief of The Bookman
The Bookman (New York)
The Bookman was a literary journal established in 1895 by Dodd, Mead and Company. It drew its name from the phrase, "I am a Bookman," by James Russell Lowell; the phrase regularly appeared on the cover and title page of the bound edition. It was purchased in 1918 by the George H. Doran Company. In...
magazine, worked on its staff from 1895 to 1906, and, in 1895, created the world's first bestseller
Bestseller
A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade figures and published by newspapers, magazines, or bookstore chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and...
list for its pages. Peck was also editor in chief of the International Cyclopaedia from 1890 to 1901 and co-editor of the first edition of its successor, the New International Encyclopedia
New International Encyclopedia
The New International Encyclopedia was an American encyclopedia first published in 1902 by Dodd, Mead and Company. It descended from the International Cyclopaedia and was updated in 1906, 1914 and 1926.-History:...
(1902–1904).
In 1910, newspaper reports that Peck was being sued for breach of promise, that is, promise of marriage, by a former secretary included excerpts from his love letters. The imperious president of the university, Nicholas Murray Butler, though a longtime friend and former schoolmate, promptly terminated Peck's relationship with Columbia. Peck fought his dismissal without success. Among those who tried in various ways to support Peck's right to more considerate treatment or due process was another professor, Joel Spingarn
Joel Elias Spingarn
Joel Elias Spingarn was an American educator, literary critic, and civil rights activist.-Biography:Spingarn was born in New York City to a well-to-do family. He graduated from Columbia College in 1895...
, who soon found himself dismissed as well.
Peck lived out his remaining years cut off from his former colleagues relying on income from occasional writing assignments. Increasingly depressed and unable to find work, he was sighted one day near the end of his life on the streets of Manhattan "walking in a dazed sort of way...., dressed, as was his custom, in a frock coat and silk hat, but both were extremely shabby. He passed, looking neither right nor left; he seemed entirely oblivious to his surroundings."
He committed suicide in Stamford, Conn.
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
on March 23, 1914. He was buried in Christ Church Cemetery in Greenwich, CT
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
.
Classical
- The Semitic Theory of Creation (1886)
- Latin Pronunciation: A Short Exposition of the Roman Method (1890)
- Suetonius (1889)
- Roman Life in Latin Prose and Verse: Illustrative Readings from Latin Literature (1894)
- International Library of Masterpieces, Literature, Art and Rare Manuscripts (1901)
- A History of Classical Philology from the Seventh Century BC to the Twentieth Century AD (1911)
Edited Works
- Harper's Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiquities
- The International Cyclopedia (1890–1901)
Essays
- The Personal Equation (1899)
- What is Good English? and Other Essays (1899)
- The New Baedeker: Being Casual Notes of an Irresponsible Traveler (1910)
Other
- William Hickling Prescott (1905)
- Twenty Years of the Republic, 1885–1905 (1906)
- Studies in Several Literatures (1909)