New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-26
OBITUARY.
JAMES T. FIELDS.

JANIS Il. FIELDS.
BosroN. April 25.-James 7. Fields well known
as publisher, author and lecturer died about o:So
n m. Yesterday at his home in Charles-st this city.
He had been sick for some time, but was slowly re-
covering and last Saturday out visiting the Old
Corner Bookstore and other places. Yesterday
morning he was in his usual good spirits, and ran
across Charles-st to T. B. Adrichs house directly
opposite his own residence. Here he remained some
little time, chatting pleasantly.
Since his recent illness, however Mr.. Fields has
felt that the end was not far off. II is said
that he was somewhat disturbed last evening
by the excitement attending the fire at the um-
bcr-yard and bOat-hOusc, not far from his house.
He had, however apparently Gained down, and
was sitting with his wife who was reading, to
him. While thus engaged Mrs. Fields noticed
change passing over her husbands face, and almost
Immediately he quietly passed away without
2 struggle. His death was caused by heart disease,
from which lac has suffered for some time.
James T. Fields was born at Portsmouth, n. H.,
December 81. 1917. At the High School in that
town he received his education, and at the age of
fourteen he removed 10 Boston, entering book
store there rs clerk. He "arly exhibited consider
able ability, especially in the merical department
of literature and at the age of eighteen he was in
vited To read anniversary poem before the Boston
Mercantile Library Association Edward Everett
delivering the grafton. Twelve years atterward he
read before the same society poem entitled Inc
Post of Honor the grafton being by Daniel Web
ster Soon after attaining the age of twenty-one
years Mr. Fields entered as partner the bookshelf
ing firm of Tcknor, Reed * Fields, which, in
1Sii 10y the withdrawal of Mr. Reed, became the
firm Of TicknOr X Fields This house soon obtained
an honorable distinction in the trade through the
high character Of its publications. Among Others it
a.. 81. ITn,,
Longfcllow. Thoreau and Whittier. One of its most
important publications was that of the collected
works of Thomas De Quincy. Up TO the time of
that publication there had been attempt TO gather
together the scattered writings of this remarkable
author which were spread through great number
of periodicals. The task OF compilation was under-
taken by Mr. Fields himself and very satisfactorily
accomplished. Only then was similar enterprise
set afoot i'm England.
Mr. Tieknor dying in 1861. the houSo became that
If Fields, Oscood & Co.. aud from this Mr. Fields
Withdrew 10 devote himself TO literary pursuits in
1870 He visited Europe in 1918, 1851, and 1889.
and hi, acquaintance with English women and men
of letters WIS extensive and intimate. In 1919 he
published a volume of poems. I'm lSJf he printed
privntelya second volume Of POEMS and anmher in
Is5- entitled. a Few Verses for Few Friends
In 1873 hc published Yesterdays with Authors,
which reached twelfth edition. This was a volume
Of "Reminiscences of Mr.. Ficds's intercourse with
many distinguished persons. with sketches OF their
habit, and literary pcculartics. For some years
hc WIS the Editor 81 The atlantic NOpfhiy. which
Wa, published hy h, house. From the same esab-
l,hurut also Wrrr issued frcrB Saturday and lOHR1
y0iiA-p.rloiital. OF great merit. and which owed
their origin 20 the taste and Judgment Of Mr.. Fields.
He delivered IN November 1873, course Of SIX Tee
lures on Modcw English Literature before the
Lowell ms itute az Boston; and IN different cities
of the country hc was held IN high esteem a. lee
turef.
A. publisher. apart from his literary position.
Mr. FrhlscA iihItrd tact. judgment and an admirable
taste he lad faculty Of getting the best work
ont of literary men AMI Of encouraging them 10 new
and .iircc--ful rNcrtiop- For some years no house
could show list superior 10 that which issued from
his own: and IN tins clcycrncss IN obtaining good
books from urst rate hands the Boston firm reminded
H. OF like. success achieved 10y MoNon Of London.
The death of Mr. Fields viii be- greatly regretted III
literary circles and indeed by all who had the
pleasure OF his friendship or even acquaintance.