The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-12
o BIT U A r ".


Thomas Buchanan Read, the Arner...:a.n painter 's
poet, died at the Astor nc-se. in this -. ~
about eeve1 O'CLOCK last night. He was eaE.
ried of by an attack OF plenro-pneumonia, in
the ffty-lrst year Of his age. Since his ar
rival from Italy, week since, he has been
lying PROSTATE by Illness the severity OF the
disease being still further aggravated by the nger
ing effects Of the Roman fever from which he suf
fered in the Holy City. He left Rome a month
since, and while crossing the Atlantic was pros
trated, and has been steadily growing to the
final moment Of his decease. For several days his
condition was critical, and on Tuesday night (7th
inst) a change for the better was observed by the
physicians but at an early hour Wednesday even
ing a change for the worse took place and the
patient continued to sink to dissolution.
Thomas Buchanan Read was born in the county Of
Chester, Pennsylvania on the 18th OF March, in the
year 1922. The death OF his father caused separa-
ton OF the family, and at an early age young Read
went to the Western country. Here, at different
times. he travelled very extensively and obtained
that familiarity with nature which enabled him
in after years to reproduce her features in songs
that have won the admiration Of lovers Of
true poetry both sides Of the Atlantic. In 1899
we and ltn an art student in the ateter of eleven
ger, the sculptor, at Cincinnati where his fondness
earliest productions in painting, for that the
branch which his taste led him to cultivate,
were full %. Of the larest promise, and AT as-
tracted the attention OF many connols-
seurs in art, and procured him orders
for portraits from many eminent men, among others
the late President Harrison. Making his way to
the Atlantic seaboard, with some specimens OF his
professional SKILL after few months solourn Ia
New York, in ls41 he removed to Boston and
ing and drawing OF the head soon attracted
attention to his pictures and sitters whose
time and employed his pencil. Among the artists
whose favorable opinion and valuable counsel ne
secured, was Washington Allston, then drawing
near the end of life too early closed. An IDEAL
head Of 'Geneweve,n well remembered by our art
loving citizens, was one of the productions of this
his first attempt at poetical composition. They
short lyrics, and arst published in the Boston
1874. Most Of these pieces were afterwards col
lected In an edition OF his poems published in this
city in lsa7, and are stil popular favorites Mr.
Read drew his earliest inspiration from familiar
themes and incidents. Pastoral landscapes little
waysidc dramas, the song of street singer, q sum-
BY as trivaties, afforded him inspiration, and were
Transmitted into music that still finds an echo In
onr hearts. In ls4e Mr.: Read removed TO Philadel.
trulnphs, as an artist and writer, in the
municipal centre Of rsnnsylynaa He
Pnaaelpna in the . year isss and pabshed rhe
New PASTORAL in the same city In 1855. The
.Monse By the Sea- appeared In 1856 TINS r was
and by contributions of acknowledged worth and
| utility to the magazines. He passed year in
Florence, 1S5O51; again visited Italy in 1853 and
subsequent years. During the past few years he
has resided chiefly In Philadelphia and Cincinnati.
Among his best known nov. literary productions are
'sThe Pilgrims of the Great St Bernardn 1.-THE New
Pastoral,' .srhe Stayed Curse" ''The Blessed
Dead,n and "HerO and Leander.v
If we have as q nation reason to feel pride in
the success Of Hiram Powers as q sculptor T..
Buchanan Read has claim upon our sympathies
hardly less honorable. young man. even at the
moment OF his decease, he rose to eminent posi-
ton in our literature and American art, song and
national inspiration owe to- his fine fancy
and facile pencil some OF their truest offerings
and most original works; for had he never pro.
duced writing except his grand war song entitled
'Sherdan's Ride,r 1t would have been enough to
immortalize his name as patriot in the same de-
gree it warmed the heart OF the civilized world to
asentent appreciation of true liberty and manhood.