Trowbridge, John Townsend

John Townsend (1827-), an American story writer and poet. He was born at Townsend, New York. He received a common school education and in 1846 went to New York, where he began writing for journals and magazines. He became editor of a journal called The Sentinel, but lost his position through publishing an editorial against the fugitive slave law. Neighbor Jackwood, a story protesting against slavery, was read widely, and was dramatized successfully. Trowbridge was managing editor of Our Young Folks, and was one of the original contributors to The Atlantic Monthly. Mr. Trowbridge is best known as a writer of stories for boys. The Jack Hazard Series, including Jack Hazard and His Fortunes, A Chance for Himself, Doing His Best, Fast Friends, and The Young Surveyor, first published in Our Young Folks, will long be popular with young people. They recount the experiences and struggles of a homeless New England boy, telling of his schooling, his friends, his mistakes, his failures, and his final success. Over 13,000 copies of Cudjo's Cave, another well known story published in 1864, were sold in one week. Trowbridge is the author of many short stories and poems. The Vagabonds is his best known poem.