George Lunt (December 31, 1803 – May 17, 1885) was an American
editor, lawyer, author, and politician. George's ancestor, Henry Lunt, was one of the original settlers of
Newbury (1635). His grandfather's exploits with
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones (born John Paul; July 6, 1747 July 18, 1792) was a Scottish-American naval captain who was the United States' first well-known naval commander in the American Revolutionary War. He made many friends among U.S political elites ( ...
were chronicled by
James Fenimore Cooper.
Life
George Lunt was born in
Newburyport, Massachusetts on December 31, 1803. He attended
Phillips Exeter Academy.
He was graduated at
Harvard College
Harvard College is the undergraduate college of Harvard University, an Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, Harvard College is the original school of Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher lea ...
in 1824, with special distinction in Greek, studied law, and began practice in Newburyport in 1827.
In earlier life, Mr. Lunt was an active member of the
Whig party, and in its interests was distinguished as a public speaker. On the dissolution of that party he became a
Democrat
Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to:
Politics
*A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people.
*A member of a Democratic Party:
**Democratic Party (United States) (D)
**Democratic ...
.
He was elected successively representative for Newburyport and senator from
Essex County in the legislature, was an active member of the convention that nominated General
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was an American military leader who served as the 12th president of the United States from 1849 until his death in 1850. Taylor was a career officer in the United States Army, rising to th ...
for the presidency, and was appointed
United States District Attorney
United States attorneys are officials of the U.S. Department of Justice who serve as the chief federal law enforcement officers in each of the 94 U.S. federal judicial districts. Each U.S. attorney serves as the United States' chief federal c ...
for Massachusetts under Taylor's administration. He eventually resumed the private practice of his profession, devoting his leisure to literary pursuits. When the Whigs dissolved, he joined the Democrats.
Prior to and during the
Civil War
A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country).
The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...
he was editor of the ''
Boston Courier
The ''Boston Courier'' was an American newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded on March 2, 1824, by Joseph T. Buckingham as a daily newspaper which supported protectionism. Buckingham served as editor until he sold out complete ...
'' in conjunction with
George S. Hillard. He opposed policies which would estrange the South and defended slavery.
When he returned to the practice of his profession, he appeared frequently in the state courts, and was counsel before
congressional committees in reference to French claims, preparing a bill and efficiently pressing it for the action of congress. Mr. Lunt's later years were marked by labors in behalf of harbors of refuge, notably at
Scituate, Massachusetts, on the south shore of Boston bay. By persevering effort he succeeded in securing very considerable appropriations from congress to this end. He was a man of firm convictions in both political and religious matters, and fearless and manly in their expression. As a writer his style was marked by strength, dignity, and grace.
Lunt died in Boston on May 17, 1885.
Works
* "Poems" (New York, 1839)
''The Age of Gold''(Boston, 1843)
''The Dove and the Eagle''(1851)
''Lyric Poems''(1854)
''Julia''(1855)
''Eastford, or Household Sketches''(1855)
*
* "Radicalism in Religion, Philosophy, and Social Life" (1858)
''The Union, a Poem''(1860)
*
''Origin of the Late War''(New York, 1866)
*
''Poems''(1884).
Notes
References
*
External links
*
*
* In 1879 Henry Tucker wrote the song,
Mabel" using the lyrics from Mr. Lunt's poe
At the Gate
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lunt, George
1803 births
1885 deaths
19th-century American male writers
19th-century American politicians
19th-century American poets
American editors
American male poets
Harvard College alumni
Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Massachusetts state senators
Politicians from Newburyport, Massachusetts
Writers from Newburyport, Massachusetts
United States Attorneys for the District of Massachusetts
19th-century American lawyers