Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-01
GEORGE w. CURTIS DEAD.
The Distinguished Editor and Civil-ser-

vice Reformer No More.
NEW YORK. August 81. Hon. George w.
Curtis died at his home, IN Livingston,
Staten Island, to-day. He was conscious
at the end and suffered no pain. DIR. Frank
q. Curtis, his son, was in attendance, and
Mrs. and Miss Curtis were present.
George William Curtis was born az Providence,
schooi at Jamaica Plains, Mass. he removed TO
Now York with his father In 1899, and for ayear
was clerk In mercantile house In that city,
With his elder brother In 1912 he joined tho COM
munity OF Brook Farm. Mass, and after eighteen
months Of study and farm labor, the brothers
won't 10 Concord, Mass, where they spent
eighteen months moro In farmers family, after
ward tilling a small piece OF land on their own
account for six months. In 1876 Mr.. Curtis
went ABROAD, living for some time in Italy and
Germany, ana aftorward travelling In Egypt
and syria. He returned 70 this couDtry In 1850,
and soon afierwsrd became ono OF the editorial
staff OF the New York Tribune.
Mr.. Curtis was one Of the editors OF the first
series Of Fttndn's Monthly from It's appearance
in 1852 till IL ceased 10 exist. About three years
sitter 10 was established the magazine poised
into the hands Of the firm Of Dix, Edward & Co,
In which Mr. curtis was special
partner, pocuniartly responsible, but taking
no part In its commercial management
In the spring OF 1857 the house, which
had also undertaken TO publish books, was found
10 be insOlvent for a large amount, and Mr. Cur
tls sank his private fortune In the endoayor 10
save his creditors from loss, Hhlcn ne nnally ac-
compllshed IN 1873 In 1853 he began in Har-
psr's Monthly the series of papers entitled
" Editors Easy Chair" and in the same year on
tered the lecture Geld, meeting with great sue
cess.
He soon gained a reputation as popular ora
tor, and In the presidential campaign of 1885
spoke in behalf Of the Republican candidates.
Soon after HdTper's Weekly was established Qn
1857 he became It's chief editorial writer. He
was a delegate TO tue Republican National Con-
ventlons Of 1860 and 1884, and IN the latter
year was an unsuccessful candldlte for Con-
gress. He was offered the complementary 70
Egypt by President Lincoln, but declined lt. In
1868 he was a Republican presidential eector,
aud In 1869 40 declinei tho nomination tor Sec
retary OF stats OF New York.
He was always an earnest advocate OF civil
service reform, aud was appointed by President
Grant in 1871 one OF a commission % draw up
rules for the regulation Of the civil service
lie was elected chairman Of the commission,
but resigned in March, 1873, on account OF
differences with the President regarding
tho enforcement oil the rules. He WAS
offered several foreign missions by President
HAYES bat declined them all Mr.. Curtis
was chairman OF a meeting Of Independent Re-
publionns in New York June 16, 1884, to take
action against the nomination Of MIR. Blaine Tor
tho presidency. lie subsequently supported
Mr.. Cleveland. Since 1854 Mr. Curtis had been
one OF the regents OF the University OF the
state OF New York and was its vice-chancellor.
Hs published number Of collections OF papers,
among them being "Nile Notes OF HoTadii,'
&" Lotus EATING "Potlphar Papers" "Prue and
H. and Trumps," a novel.