Augustine Joseph Hickey Duganne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Augustine Joseph Hickey Duganne
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| Born | 1823 |
| Died | October 20, 1884 (aged 60–61) |
| Occupation | Writer and poet |
Augustine Joseph Hickey Duganne (1823–1884) was an American writer and poet. He lived during the time of the American Civil War. He was also a journalist, a playwright (someone who writes plays), and a "dime novelist" (someone who wrote popular, inexpensive adventure stories).
Contents
Discovering Augustine J. H. Duganne's Life
Augustine Joseph Hickey Duganne was born in Boston in 1823. We don't know much about his very early life.
Starting as a Writer
He began his writing career by creating patriotic poems. These poems were printed in newspapers. In 1844, his poems were gathered into a book called "Hand Poems." People really liked this book. In 1843, he also published his first novel, The Two Clerks; or, The Orphan's Gratitude.
Getting Involved in Politics
In the early 1840s, Duganne moved to Philadelphia. There, he became interested in politics. He joined movements that wanted to help workers and change land ownership rules. From 1849 to 1850, he published a funny newspaper called "Iron Man" in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.
Later, he moved to New York City. In 1855, he was elected to the New York State Legislature. He represented the Native American Party and served for one term.
Serving in the Civil War
In December 1862, Duganne became a lieutenant-colonel in the 176th New York Volunteer Infantry. This was during the American Civil War. On June 23, 1863, he was captured by the enemy. He became a POW (Prisoner of War). He spent 13 months in different prison camps in Texas.
After the war, in 1865, he wrote a book called Camps and Prison. This book shared his experiences as a prisoner during the war. He also gathered information for New York State about how Union soldiers from New York were treated in Confederate prisons.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Duganne worked for the New-York Tribune newspaper. He continued to write poetry and publish books. He cared deeply about working people who were struggling. He joined a group called the Knights of Labor, which helped workers. In 1871, he even invented something to improve how printers set up newspaper columns.
Augustine J. H. Duganne passed away on October 20, 1884.
Augustine Duganne's Poetry
Duganne's poems were often published in newspapers that supported workers in the 1840s. He believed that poets should write for and help the working class. His poem "The Song of Toil" clearly shows this idea.
In 1897, a newspaper called the Birmingham Labor Advocate printed a part of his powerful poem, "Keep It Before the People." This poem celebrates the strength, freedom, and natural equality of all people. It ends with a strong message:
Keep it before the people:/
That the laborer claims his need:/
The right of soil,/
And the right of toil,/
From spur and bridle freed;/
The right to bear,/
And the right to share,/
With you and me, my brother!/
What is given,/
By God from heaven,/
To one as well as another!
Famous Quotes
- "Pleasure which must be enjoyed at the expense of another's pain, can never be enjoyed by a worthy mind. Pleasure's couch is virtue's grave."
