New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-21
OBITUARY.
GEORGE PEABODY PUTNAM.

GEOhGE iEAbOD1 fbINhh.
George Peabody Putnam, the well-bnown
Publisher died suddenly at sos p yesterday, at the
bookstore OF G. p Putnam & Co.. at Fourth-ave. and
third-st He had been at his place Of business
during the greater part of the day. and appeared TO be
in remarkably good spirits In the afternoon he went
out, but returned. About hour afterward while
exhibiting book 10 q gentleman, he suddenly fell to
the floor. striking his head against projecting shelf in
his descent. An outery made, and Mr..
Putnam was raised from the floor and placed
on one OF the book counters OF the store.
Restoratves applied in vain and messenger was
dispatched for physician. In a short time Drs. Fer
guson and Brink appeared but only to discover that life
extinct In their opinion death resulted from
npoplexy. The Rev. W. ii. Van Doren, with whom Mr..
PutnamIwas talking when he fell TO the floor, that
they were looking at the "Galery Of American
Landscape" "a book published By the firm, and while
talking the publisher turned away abruptly, as IL faint.
then endeavored rally and finally, with deep groan,
sank to the floor Two Of MT Putnam were in the
store at-the time
Mr.. Putnam was horn Of Ncw-England ancestry at
Brunswick Me- Feb. 81, 1874 and was consequently
Ia the 69th year Of his age. He obtained a common
school education only in his native place and Boston,
and the age Of H. came to NewYork and entered us
clerk the bookstore Daniel eavitt at that time
OF the largestdea in tins city, He aerward entered
the employ Of John Wiley, whose partner he became
III 1874 he went to London as representative
Of the firm and remained there years in charge OF
the English branch OF the house. He was one Of
the first to build up the business Of importing
English books business which has since been largely
developed, and he probably the first 10 Introduce
the sale Of American publications into England During
his solourn in London he wrote and published book
called American Facts" which, by giving great deal
OF information concerning the condition Of affairs In the
United States, contributed greatly to produce better
understanding and appreciation OF this country In Eu'
glish minds. This work source OF considerable
pride to Mr. Putnam from the beneficial influence he felt
it had exerted abroad His most important literary
work was the Worlds Progress; or Dictionary OF
Dates" which he began the age of Il aud completed
when %; revising IT, however from time TO time, to
keep the record with the time The last revision,
Just finished brings it down to date and constitutes his
last literary work.
MI Putnam returned 10 New-York FROM London in
1sls and afterward dissolved the partnership with
Mr. Wiley and engaged In business by himself lie soon
began the publication OF Washington Irvings works
his most important enterprise II the character and num-
Der Of the volumes teis sale and wide inu-
considered. and this proved very successful
venture. Among other various standard works which
he HAS published the writings OF j. FeniIn0re
Cooper Bayard Taylor, Charles Lamb, Thomas Hood,
John T. Kennedy, Edgar A. Poe, aud others One OF his
early Publishing enterprises was library OF
choice reading. in rs cent volumes, selected
from the best authors, whereby he hoped to
bring them within the reach OF all classes This under
taking partially suGccs.'u III Durlness point
OF yiow but partial 10 the idea till his death.
Mr. Putnam early interested himself in the production
OF fine Illustrated books publishing among Others the
ARTISTS E1ition Of Irying's Sketch Book" and the
Book Of American Scenery" In 1852, with the assist
ance OF George william Curtis and James Briggs,
and. others, established PutHdn's M1ga-ine. the
aim Of which 10 be, what no other
monthly la this country then strictly American
magazine It met with immediate and in 1856.
while still pr0sperng greatly. was sold to other pub
lshers who failed in the financial crisis OF 1887 when
the publication Of the suspended In 1868.
Mr. Putnam retired from active business to become Col
lector OF Internal Revenue position which ne held till
1896 When IN conjunction with his sons he formed the
publishing house Of q. r. Putnam & Sons. the Maya
zine was reEstablshcd In 1867 and continued TIL 1870,
when it was sold 10 scribner d Co.. and merged in
Scribaei's Monthly
Mr. Putnam was one Of the first members OF the Cen
fury Club and was for several years Chairman OF tire
Art Committee OF the Union League Club He has also
been very active In the Organization OF the Metropolitan
Museum OF Art. of inch he has been honorary Suporin
tendcnt during the past year, beside being busiy
gagged on the Committee for the preparation of q
sentatiou OF American Art at the Vienna Exposition
next year.
Mr. Putnam not only held u conspicuous position in
the trade OF which he honorcd member but
tanned relations Of intimacy aud friendship with many
OF the most inished men OF letters OF tie day. He
was the publisher Of Fenmore Cooper aud Washington
Irving and the connection hus established with those
ustrious writers subsequently rpened into cordial
and confidential comp uionship which remained fresh
and unimpaired until the day Of their death. He
himself an author OF ndisputable merit. especially
I'm me department OF his DRY and statistics, and his
popular manuals those subjects have obtained
highly favorable reputation as useful books OF reference
During his urotrac tOd residence in England he wrote
pi0uan. reply Charles Dickens's American Notes"
which excited little attention defense OF the
people OF this country against the criticisms OF the
vehement novelist. Mr. Putnam among the first 10
encourage the early literary aspirations OF Mr. Bayard
TAYLOR largely Indebted 10 MS influence FOR the
suitable production OF his WORKS before the American
public He deeply interested In the progress o. lit
eratIre m and elegant culture In this country, 10 which
few men have lent judcious aud efficient aid, or
surrounded with kindly and genial mosphcre.
Emnany social in his disposition he had the gift Of
ace and forcba ut erance and had long been In the
habit of addressing public festive reunions with dig
nifty and effect His counsels were always sought on
difficulty, and every intelligent lna1 among
bis acqu attached peculiar value 10 bis opinions
Modest ID retiring In his manners he cherished SIN
glar sekrespeSt, AMI never receded flOm Glground
bur through the force OF conviction He was man Of
the rarest puly and OF life Of stroi rel ious
sentiment and model Of excellence In the social and
domestic relations Mr.. Putnam. though born In Massa
chuses had lOrg resided in his adopted city as 10
be identified with interests and almost 10 be reck-
oned as one Of her native population. His familiar be-
nj guant face will DO deeply missed in most intelligent
so ial circles and almost every who knew him IN the
pursuits Of buslntss will also feel that he has lost
friend.
TELEGRAPHIC NOTES.