Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864

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George Pope Morris (October 10, 1802 – July 6, 1864) was an American editor, poet, and songwriter.

With Nathaniel Parker Willis, he co-founded the daily New York Evening Mirror by merging his fledgling weekly New-York Mirror with Willis's American Monthly in August 1831. Morris is credited with the longevity the Evening Mirror would enjoy and for giving it a wide scope, covering not only news and entertainment but reviews of the fine arts, editorials, and many original engravings. Morris also funded in advance Willis's trip to Europe, for which Willis wrote several letters to be published in the Mirror, which helped establish his fame. On January 29, 1845, the Evening Mirror published an "advance copy" of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven". It was the first publication of that poem with the author's name. The publishing partners also issued an anthology called The Prose and Poetry of America in 1845.

Willis and Morris left the Mirror in 1846 and founded a new weekly, the National Press, which was renamed the Home Journal after eight months. Beginning in 1854 his son William, who had graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1851, resigned from the Army and worked for the newspaper as an editor. Beginning in 1901, it was published as Town and Country and is still in print under that title today. Their prospectus for the publication, published November 21, 1846, announced their intentions to create a magazine "to circle around the family table".

In addition to his publishing and editorial work, Morris was popular as a poet and songwriter; especially well-known was his poem-turned-song "Woodman, Spare that Tree!" His songs in particular were popular enough that Graham's Magazine in Philadelphia promised Morris $50, sight unseen, for any work he wanted to publish in the periodical. "Woodman, Spare that Tree!" was first published in the January 17, 1837, issue of the Mirror under the title "The Oak" and was that year set to music by Henry Russell before being reprinted under its more common title in 1853. Lines from the poem are often quoted by environmentalists. The poem was also included in one of Morris's volumes of collected poems, The Deserted Bride and Other Poems, 1838, which ran into several editions.

Morris was friends with artist Robert Walter Weir to whom he dedicated his only book of prose, The Little Frenchman and His Water Lots (1839). A collection of short stories and sketches, the little Frenchman of the title story was the victim of an unscrupulous dealer in real estate bordering Wallabout Bay, that was under water at high tide.

Morris died July 6, 1864. Horace Binney Wallace wrote the introductory biographical notice for Morris's posthumous collected works.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Fay, Theodore S. (Theodore Sedgwick), 1807-1898. Letter, 1829, March 20, New York, to Clintock Yoning(?). Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
creatorOf Murphey, David W. Collection of poems, 1840-1855. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn Ann Sophia Stephens Collection, 1836-1884 University of Virginia. Library. Special Collections Dept.
referencedIn Benjamin, Park, 1809-1864. Benjamin Park papers, 1645-1925. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn [Journal fragments] United States Military Academy, USMA Library
creatorOf Morris, William Hopkins, 1827-1900. Morris family papers. United States Military Academy, USMA Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Letters, 1837-1851, New York. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn Benjamin, Park, 1809-1864. Papers, 1645-1925 Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Poetry manuscripts [1850s-1880s] Poetry manuscripts William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Letters : to Luther and Jeannie Marsh, 1852-1861. Houghton Library
creatorOf George Pope Morris literary manuscripts, ca.1826-1860 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Nack, Evelina, d. 1936. Autograph album, 1852-1853. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Lewis Gaylord Clark corrspondence, 1833-1867 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Letter : to Hon. C.E. Lawrence, 1845 July 10. University of Rhode Island Library, Kingston, University Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Correspondence with Robert Montgomery Bird, 1832-1858. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. Papers of Nathaniel Parker Willis, 1835-1866. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Letters to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1761-1904 (inclusive), 1820-1888 (bulk) Houghton Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Letter, 1837, August 9, to W.C. Little, Albany. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. Works and correspondence, ca. 1840-1866. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Thomas Bailey Aldrich papers, 1837-1926. Houghton Library
referencedIn Savage, John, 1828-1888. Letter of John Savage, 1861 July 31. Library of Congress
creatorOf Horn, Charles E. (Charles Edward), 1786-1849. Maid of Saxony : Opera. Full score. Harvard Musical Association
referencedIn Cushman, T. H., fl. 1840. T. H. Cushman letter to Rufus Wilmot Griswold [manuscript], 1840 Oct 26. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Nathaniel Parker Willis Collection, 1835-1863 University of Virginia. Library. Special Collections Dept.
referencedIn Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. Nathaniel Parker Willis collection, 1813-1866. Yale University Library
creatorOf Halleck, Fitz-Greene, 1790-1867. Papers of Fitz-Greene Halleck, 1803-1948 (bulk 1814-1867). University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Fay, Theodore S. (Theodore Sedgwick), 1807-1898. Theodore S. Fay letters to George Pope Morris, 1834 and 1840. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia), 1813-1886. Collection: 1836-1884. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Flowers composing the bouquet presented to Mrs. Charles Dickens : manuscript note : New York, to Catherine Dickens, 1842 Feb. 14. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Autograph File, M Houghton Library
creatorOf Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia), 1810-1886. Papers of Ann S. Stephens [manuscript], 1836-1884. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1803-1947. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Letters, poem, and song by George Pope Morris, 1842-1860. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf George Pope Morris collection of papers, 1830-1863 The New York Public Library. Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature.
creatorOf Parton, James, 1822-1891. Papers of James Parton [manuscript] 1860-1893. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Kean, Charles John, 1811?-1868,. Autograph letters signed and autograph drafts signed from Charles John Kean to various recipients [manuscript], 1828-1866. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1882. Papers of Henry Wadworth Longfellow [manuscript], 1764-1887 (bulk 1832-1882). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Nathaniel Parker Willis collection of papers, 1840-1866 The New York Public Library. Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature.
referencedIn Kemble, Fanny, 1809-1893,. Autograph letters signed from Fanny Kemble to various recipients [manuscript], 1832-1892. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Autograph letters signed (6) : New York, to Fletcher Harper, 1854 Sept. 27-1859 Apr. 22. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Papers, 1861. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. Nathaniel Parker Willis collection, 1813-1866. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Sargent, Epes, 1813-1880. Papers of Epes Sargent, 1839-1880. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Brainard, Charles Henry, 1817-1885. Papers, 1795-1884 and undated Houghton Library
creatorOf MATRIX Brass Quintet Brass Band. MATRIX Brass Quintet Brass Band [sound recording]. University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Semans Library
referencedIn Autograph File, L, 1641-1976. Houghton Library
creatorOf Leland, Charles Godfrey, 1824-1903. Charles Godfrey Leland letters and poems, 1854-1866. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Letters, 1840-1857. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Chapman, Frederic, 1823-1895,. American and English literary and historical papers collected by Atcheson L. Hench [manuscript] 1814-1890. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Morgan, George Washington, 1820-1893. Military officer correspondence, 1847-1895. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864,. Autograph letter signed from George Pope Morris, New York Mirror Office, to Morton McMichael, Philadelphia [manuscript], 1838 August 20. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Griswold, Rufus W. (Rufus Wilmot), 1815-1857. Papers, 1835-1856. Houghton Library
referencedIn Free Library of Philadelphia Collection of Literary Manuscripts, 1666-1990 Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department
creatorOf Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. Letters, 1832-1864. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Balse, M. W. Manuscript sheet music : 1840-1856. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
creatorOf George Pope Morris Papers, 1832-1862 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Autograph letter signed Geo. P. Morris to: "My dear Poet." January 28, 1857. Wellesley College
creatorOf Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. Nathaniel Parker Willis collection of papers, 1840-1866. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Neal, John, 1793-1876. Papers, 1803-1880 Houghton Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Papers of George Pope Morris [manuscript] 1830-1860. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Mayflower. The cloud : manuscript, [ca. 1855] Houghton Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. George Pope Morris collection of papers, 1830-1859. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Payne, John Howard, 1791-1852. Correspondence and miscellaneous items of John Howard Payne [manuscript], 1811-1896. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Woodworth, Frederick Augustus, 1818-1865. Letter: to George P. Morris, editor of the New York Mirror /by Frederick Augustus Woodworth, 1851 Jul 1. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Peale-Sellers family collection, 1686-1963 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Lines written for musick composed by Dr. McLean : autograph manuscript signed : [n.p., n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aldrich, Thomas Bailey, 1836-1907, person
associatedWith Allibone, S. Austin (Samuel Austin), 1816-1889, person
associatedWith Anonymous person
associatedWith Barnum, P. T. (Phineas Taylor), 1810-1891, person
correspondedWith Bartlett, W. H. C. (William Holms Chambers), 1804-1893 person
associatedWith Benjamin, Park, 1809-1864. person
associatedWith Benjamin, Park, 1849-1922 person
correspondedWith Bonner, Robert, 1824-1899 person
associatedWith Brainard, Charles Henry, 1817-1885 person
associatedWith Bryan, William G., fl. 1859, person
associatedWith Clark, Lewis Gaylord, 1808-1873 person
associatedWith Cushman, T. H., fl. 1840. person
associatedWith Dix, John A. (John Adams), 1798-1879. person
associatedWith Elssler, Fanny, 1810-1884, person
associatedWith Farrington, Thomas, person
associatedWith Fay, Theodore S. (Theodore Sedgwick), 1807-1898. person
associatedWith Fields, James Thomas, 1817-1881. person
associatedWith Fish, Hamilton, 1808-1893, person
associatedWith Francis, J. W. person
associatedWith Free Library of Philadelphia. corporateBody
associatedWith Fuller, M. V., Miss, person
associatedWith Godey, Louis Antoine, 1804-1878 person
associatedWith Graham, George R., person
associatedWith Greenwood, Grace, 1823-1904, person
associatedWith Griswold, Rufus W. (Rufus Wilmot), 1815-1857 person
associatedWith Haida, Fred W., person
associatedWith Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879 person
associatedWith Halleck, Fitz-Greene, 1790-1867. person
associatedWith Harper, Fletcher, 1806-1877, person
associatedWith Horn, Charles E. (Charles Edward), 1786-1849. person
associatedWith Howe, W. T. H. (William Thomas Hildrup), person
associatedWith Irving, Washington, 1783-1859 person
correspondedWith Kean, Charles John, 1811?-1868, person
correspondedWith Kemble, Fanny, 1809-1893, person
associatedWith King, Rufus, 1814-1876, person
associatedWith Leland, Charles Godfrey, 1824-1903. person
associatedWith Little, W. C., person
associatedWith Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1882. person
associatedWith Lossing, Benson John, 1813-1891, person
associatedWith Mackenzie, R. Shelton (Robert Shelton), 1809-1880. person
associatedWith Marsh, Jeannie, person
associatedWith Marsh, Luther R. (Luther Rawson), 1813-1902, person
associatedWith Marxh, Jenny, fl. 1855, person
associatedWith MATRIX Brass Quintet Brass Band. corporateBody
associatedWith Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879, person
associatedWith Mayflower. person
correspondedWith McMichael, Morton, 1807-1879 person
correspondedWith Michael, Morton M. person
associatedWith Montez, Lola, 1818-1861. person
spouseOf Morris, Mary Worthington Hopkins person
parentOf Morris, William Hopkins, 1827-1900 person
associatedWith Murphey, David W. person
associatedWith Nack, Evelina, d. 1936. person
associatedWith Neal, John, 1793-1876, person
associatedWith New York Mirror. corporateBody
associatedWith Niven, General, person
associatedWith Parker, Jenny Marsh, 1836-1913, person
associatedWith Parton, James, 1822-1891 person
associatedWith Payne, John Howard, 1791-1852. person
associatedWith Peale-Sellers families. person
associatedWith Poore, Benjamin Perley, 1820-1887, person
associatedWith Pride, George L., person
associatedWith Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915- person
associatedWith Richards, T. Addison (Thomas Addison), 1820-1900, person
associatedWith Sargent, Epes, 1813-1880. person
correspondedWith Savage, John, 1828-1888. person
associatedWith Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. person
correspondedWith Shields, James, 1806-1879 person
associatedWith Sigourney, L. H. (Lydia Howard), 1791-1865 person
associatedWith Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia), 1810-1886. person
associatedWith Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862, person
associatedWith Stevens, Samuel, 1778-1860 person
associatedWith Stoddard, Richard Henry, 1825-1903 person
correspondedWith Thorburn, Grant, 1773-1863 person
associatedWith Tuckerman, Henry T. (Henry Theodore), 1813-1871, person
associatedWith Virtue, George, 1793?-1868, person
associatedWith Wetmore, Prosper Montgomery, 1798-1876 person
associatedWith Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867, person
associatedWith Woodworth, Frederick Augustus, 1818-1865. person
associatedWith Worster, Joseph. person
correspondedWith Wyman, L. B. (Luther Boynton), 1805-1879 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Philadelphia PA US
New York City NY US
Subject
Actors
Authors, American
American periodicals
American periodicals
American poetry
Authors and publishers
Literature
Literature
Newspaper publishing
Occupation
Journalists
Librettists
Lyricists
Poets
Songwriters
Activity

Person

Birth 1802-10-10

Death 1864-07-06

Male

Americans

English

Information

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