Willis, Nathaniel Parker

Nathaniel Parker (1806-1867), an American poet, humorist, and miscellaneous writer. He was born at Portland, Maine. He was educated at Yale and was engaged soon after to edit two annuals, The Legendary and The Token, for S. G. Goodrich. Later, he established the American Monthly Magazine at Boston. This was later merged in the New York Mirror. Willis traveled in Europe and Asia Minor writing. He wrote Pencilings by the Way during this journey. On returning to the United States he edited successively The Corsair, The New Mirror, The Evening Mirror, and The Home Journal. Titles of his writings are Two Ways of Dying for a Husband, Dashes at Life with a Free Pencil, and People I Have Met. Willis was the most prominent American journalist of his time. His humorous writings were much appreciated and his poems were popular. His books are little read at the present time.