William Alexander (1808–1875) was an American poet and author.

Biography

William Alexander was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1808, and graduated from the

University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universitie ...

in 1831 with a bachelor of arts degree. After graduation, he became an "usher in the grammar-school of the university." Three years later, Alexander opened an academy "of the classical order," where he remained for six years. Thereafter, he became teacher of Mathematics for two years. Upon leaving this profession, he turned toward private tutoring and writing. Alexander is best known for his epic poem, ''The Christiad,'' and was a contributor to popular literary magazines such as ''

Godey's Lady's Book ''Godey's Lady's Book'', alternatively known as ''Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book'', was an American women's magazine that was published in Philadelphia from 1830 to 1878. It was the most widely circulated magazine in the period before the Civil ...

'' and ''

Graham's Magazine ''Graham's Magazine'' was a nineteenth-century periodical based in Philadelphia established by George Rex Graham and published from 1840 to 1858. It was alternatively referred to as ''Graham's Lady's and Gentleman's Magazine'' (1841–1842, and J ...

''. His only published book of poetry, ''The Poetical Works of William Alexander; Including His Christiad, Dramas, and Minor Poems, with Dissertations on Poetry, and a Sketch of His Life,'' received mixed reviews. The New York ''

Commercial Advertiser The ''New-York Commercial Advertiser'' was an American evening newspaper. It originated as the ''American Minerva'' in 1793, changed its name in 1797, and was published, with slight name variations, until 1904. History The paper had its origins ...

'' commented, "We acknowledge...to having derived more amusement from the author's autobiography than from his metered lines." The criticism ends by remarking, "The gentleman is no poet, however; he would do wisely to abandon that path and adhere to the more practical justice of a good citizen."

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, William 1808 births 1875 deaths 19th-century American poets Date of death unknown 19th-century American male writers American male poets