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Trumbull (JOHN an American poet)

JOHN, an American poet and lawyer; born in Waterbury, Conn., April 24, 1750. He wrote, with Timothy Dwight, a series of essays in the "Spectator" style, which first drew attention to his ability. In "The Progress of Dullness" (1772-1773) he satirized contemporary methods of education; but he won his greatest fame with "Mc- Fingal" (1775-1782), a satire on the loyalists of the Revolution time, written in Hudibrastic verse. Thirty pirated editions are said to have been sold; and some of its lines are still "familiar quotations" popularly credited to "Hudibras." TRUMBULL Later he was associated with Joel Barlow and others in the production of "The Anarchiad" (1786-1787). His "Poetical Works" were published at Hartford, Conn., in 1820. He died in Detroit, Mich., May 10, 1831.