Note 7 — Chapter I · ELMWOOD AND THE LOWELLS

Robert Traill Spence Lowell was graduated at Harvard College in 1833. He became an Episcopal clergyman in 1842, went shortly after as a missionary to Newfoundland, had a parish later in New Jersey, then took the headmastership of S. Mark’s School, Southborough, Mass., and finally was called to the chair of Latin language and literature in Union College. He remained in Schenectady till his death, 12 September, 1891, just a month after the death of his younger brother. He had a distinct literary gift, and published several books, which were the outcome of his life in its varied scenes. The New Priest in Conception Bay has vivid pictures of Newfoundland, and contains one character, Elnathan Bangs, who is as racy a Yankee in his own way as Hosea Biglow himself. The book unfortunately was published by Philips & Sampson just as Mr. Phillips died and the firm went into bankruptcy, and lost thus the advantage of a good start. It was revived a good many years later, but never enjoyed the vogue it might have had. Mr. Lowell’s experiences at S. Mark’s lay behind a story for schoolboys, Antony Brade, and his life in Schenectady suggested A Story or Two from an Old Dutch Town. He published also Fresh Hearts that Failed Three Thousand Years Ago, and Other Poems, a book which his brother had the pleasure of reviewing in the Atlantic. His best known poem, “The Relief of Lucknow,” appeared also in the Atlantic, under his brother’s editorship.