Thomas J. Crowen

Thomas Jefferson Crowen (March 15, 1809 – June 28, 1880), known professionally as Thomas J. Crowen and T.J. Crowen, was an American bookseller and publisher based in New York City.
Crowen was born in Albany"Obituary. Thomas J. Crowen." The Publisher's Weekly, vol. 18, July 3, 1880 , pp. 12-13. with the surname Crow or Crowe. By 1832 he moved to New York and legally changed his name to Crowen, with his stated reason being for "a want of uniformity in the spelling of his present surname."Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, No. 129. Albany, Printed by E. Croswell, 1832. 
He married Susan Hart Akin in 1839,"Married." Commercial Advertiser, March 26, 1839, p. 3. and they had seven daughters and two sons.T J Crowen. Year: 1860; Census Place: Greenburgh, Westchester, New York; Page: 857; Family History Library Film: 803881. In 1847, he and Susan published her first cookbook, "Every Lady's Cook Book," under the name, "Mrs. T. J. Crowen."Crowen, Mrs. T.J. American Lady's System of Cookery: Comprising Every Variety of Information for Ordinary and Holiday Occasions. New York, T.J. Crowen, 1847.
Crowen's first bookstore appeared in directories in 1832.Longworth's American Almanac: New-york Register and City Directory. New York, T. Longworth, 1832. He owned bookstores until about 1864, with his final store located at 843 Broadway.Trow's New York City Directory. New York, John F. Trow, 1864. An obituary states that he was among the first in the area to introduce book displays, chairs, busts and pictures, a change from the "stiff shop-look" of the day."Obituary. Thomas J. Crowen." The Publisher's Weekly, vol. 18, July 3, 1880, pp. 12-13.
T.J. Crowen published a number of volumes over the years, with themes primarily centering on poetry, abolitionism, and religion.
A Popular Treatise on the Science of Astrology: Embracing All That Is Requisite for Erecting a Horoscope and Resolving a Horary Question. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1845.
Bissell, Champion. The Panic, As Seen from Parnassus: And Other Poems. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1860.
Conkling, Margaret C. The Widower's Stratagem: Or, a Circle Within a Circle: a Drama, in Five Acts. New York: For sale by T.J. Crowen, 1860.
Copcutt, Ann E. Poems. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1862.
Coxe, Arthur C. St. Jonathan, the Lay of a Scald. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1838.
Crowen, Ella. Valentines. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1860.
Crowen, Mrs. T.J. American Lady's System of Cookery: Comprising Every Variety of Information for Ordinary and Holiday Occasions. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1847.
Gerard, James W. Ostrea; Or, the Loves of the Oysters. a Lay by A. Fishe Shelly, Esq. [pseud.]. New York: T. J. Crowen, 1857.
Hobart, John H. The Alter: Or, Communicants' Manual. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1860.
Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ: In Four Books. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1863.
McIntosh, Maria J. Letter on the Address of the Women of England to Their Sisters of America: In Relation to Slavery. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1853.
Midnight and Other Poems. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1858.
Miron and Florilla: A Poetic Tale: the Scenery American. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1838.
Owen, Ashford. A Lost Love. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1859.
Ruffini, Giovanni. Doctor Antonio: A Tale. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1856.
Rules for Playing the Game of Chess for Four Persons. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1845.
Wilson, Thomas. Sacra Privata: The Private Meditations and Prayers of the Right Rev. Thomas Wilson, D.D. New York: T.J. Crowen, 1863.
Category:1809 births
Category:1880 deaths
Category:American booksellers
Category:American publishers (people)
Category:American people