William L. Alden
Encyclopedia
William Livingston Alden (1837–1908) was a prominent American journalist, author, humorist, canoe enthusiast, and diplomat.
He was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts
on October 9, 1837. He attended Lafayette College
; he transferred to Jefferson College
after his father, Joseph Alden
, was elected president.
He graduated from Jefferson in 1858 and read law in New York City
with William M. Evarts
, joining the bar in 1860. He practiced law until 1866. He then became a journalist, writing for the Scribner’s Monthly
, The Atlantic, New York World
and Daily Graphic
. He later worked on the editorial staff of the New York Times and produced a weekly column called ""Minor Topics." He also wrote humor pieces and juvenile fiction.
He is also credited with bringing the sport of canoeing to the United States. He founded the New York Canoe Club in 1871, which was the first canoeing organization in America. He was a founding member of the American Canoe Association
and served as the first Commodore.
He was appointed Consul General
in Rome
by President Grover Cleveland
in 1885, a position he held until 1890. He then lived in Paris
, writing for the New York Herald
, and later living and writing in London
. He died in 1908.
He was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts
Williamstown, Massachusetts
Williamstown is a town in Berkshire County, in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It shares a border with Vermont to the north and New York to the west. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,754 at the 2010 census...
on October 9, 1837. He attended Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
; he transferred to Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
after his father, Joseph Alden
Joseph Alden
Joseph Alden was an American academic and Presbyterian pastor. He was born in Cairo, New York, in 1807.He received his bachelor's degree from Union College, going on to receive his advanced degrees from Columbia University.He was professor at Williams College in 1835, professor at Lafayette...
, was elected president.
He graduated from Jefferson in 1858 and read law in 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...
with William M. Evarts
William M. Evarts
William Maxwell Evarts was an American lawyer and statesman who served as U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Senator from New York...
, joining the bar in 1860. He practiced law until 1866. He then became a journalist, writing for the Scribner’s Monthly
Scribner’s Monthly
Scribner's Monthly: An Illustrated Magazine for the People was an American literary periodical published from 1870 until 1881.-History:Charles Scribner I, Andrew Armstrong, Arthur Peabody, Edward Seymour, Josiah Gilbert Holland, and Roswell Smith established "Scribner & Co." on July 19, 1870 to...
, The Atlantic, New York World
New York World
The New York World was a newspaper published in New York City from 1860 until 1931. The paper played a major role in the history of American newspapers...
and Daily Graphic
Daily Graphic
The Daily Graphic: An Illustrated Evening Newspaper was the first American newspaper with daily illustrations. It was founded in New York in 1873 by a firm of Canadian engravers and began publication in March of that year...
. He later worked on the editorial staff of the New York Times and produced a weekly column called ""Minor Topics." He also wrote humor pieces and juvenile fiction.
He is also credited with bringing the sport of canoeing to the United States. He founded the New York Canoe Club in 1871, which was the first canoeing organization in America. He was a founding member of the American Canoe Association
American Canoe Association
The American Canoe Association is the oldest and largest paddle sports organization in the United States, promoting canoeing, kayaking, and rafting. The ACA sponsors more than seven hundred events each year, along with safety education, instructor certification, waterway conservation and public...
and served as the first Commodore.
He was appointed Consul General
Timeline of United States diplomatic history
The diplomatic history of the United States oscillated among three positions: isolation from diplomatic entanglements of other nations ; alliances with European and other military partners; and unilateralism, or operating on its own sovereign policy decisions...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
by President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
in 1885, a position he held until 1890. He then lived in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, writing for the New York Herald
New 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...
, and later living and writing in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He died in 1908.
External links
- Many classic W. L. Alden short stories are read in Mister Ron's Basement Podcast, now indexed to make them easy to find