Frederick Elizur Goodrich (January 15, 1843 – January 12, 1925) was an American journalist and political figure who worked for '' The Boston Post'' for 54 years.

Early life

Goodrich was born on January 15, 1843, to Elizur Tryon and Mary Catherine (Beach) Goodrich. He attended Hopkins Grammar School, Hartford Public High School, and Hartford Latin School. He graduated from

Yale University Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wo ...

in 1864. During his senior year he was a member of the Yale crew, member of Spade and Grave, and president of the Beethoven Society.

Career

Goodrich began his career as an assistant editor at the ''Trenton Monitor''. In 1865 he became an editor for the ''

Hartford Courant The ''Hartford Courant'' is the largest daily newspaper in the U.S. state of Connecticut, and is considered to be the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States. A morning newspaper serving most of the state north of New Haven ...

''. In 1868 he began his long career at ''The Boston Post'' as an assistant editor. In 1873 he succeeded

Charles Gordon Greene Charles Gordon Greene (July 1, 1804 – September 27, 1886) was an American journalist. Biography Greene was born at Boscawen, New Hampshire. He was the brother of Nathaniel Greene, in whose care he was placed on the death of his father in 1812 ...

as the paper's editor-in-chief. In 1878, Goodrich left the post for a career in general literary works and public office. From 1879 to 1881 he was the private secretary to Boston mayor

Frederick O. Prince Frederick Octavius Prince (January 18, 1818 – June 6, 1899) was an American lawyer, politician, and mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. He was the father of financier Frederick H. Prince. Early life Frederick Prince was born in Boston, Mass ...

. In 1883 the Democratic majority council elected Goodrich Boston city clerk over longtime nonpartisan incumbent Samuel F. McCleary Jr., ending the McCleary family's 60 year hold on the office. He was reelected in 1884, but was defeated in 1885. He then returned to journalism as an editorial writer for the ''

Boston Advertiser The ''Boston Daily Advertiser'' (est. 1813) was the first daily newspaper in Boston, and for many years the only daily paper in Boston. History The ''Advertiser'' was established in 1813, and in March 1814 it was purchased by journalist Natha ...

''. From 1888 to 1890 he was the chief clerk to

Leverett Saltonstall II Leverett Saltonstall (March 16, 1825 – April 16, 1895) was an American political figure who served as Collector of Customs for the Port of Boston. Early life A member of the Saltonstall family, Saltonstall was born on March 16, 1825, in Sale ...

, collector of customs for the port of Boston. From 1890 to 1895, Goodrich was co-editor (with Edward Everett Hale) of the ''Boston Commonwealth''. He then rejoined the ''Post'' as an editorial writer and continued writing for the paper until his death. He also authored two biographies - one on General Winfield Scott Hancock and another on President

Grover Cleveland Stephen Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837June 24, 1908) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897. Cleveland is the only president in American ...

, wrote fiction for a number of magazines under the nom de plume Frederick Tryon, and served as an arts critic for various publications.

Personal life and death

Goodrich married Elizabeth Williams Parsons on November 20, 1866. They had two sons and one daughter. Elizabeth Goodrich died on August 4, 1911. On September 28, 1912, he married Parnelle Coan (née Fiske). Goodrich died on January 12, 1925, at his home in Jamaica Plain. His cause of death was bronchial pneumonia. He was cremated and buried in West Brookfield Cemetery.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Goodrich, Frederick E. 1843 births 1925 deaths 19th-century American newspaper editors Boston city clerks The Boston Post people Hartford Courant people Massachusetts Democrats Writers from Hartford, Connecticut People from Jamaica Plain Yale University alumni