Charles Wheeler Denison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Wheeler Denison
Born	11 November 1809  New London
Died	November 1881  (aged 71–72)
Occupation	Writer, newspaper editor, cleric, abolitionist, consul
Spouse(s)	Mary Andrews Denison

Charles Wheeler Denison (born November 11, 1809, died November 14, 1881) was an important American figure. He was a writer, a newspaper editor, and a religious leader. He also worked to end slavery.

Charles Denison's Life and Work

Charles Wheeler Denison was born in New London, Connecticut. Even before he was an adult, he was already editing a newspaper in his hometown. This showed his early talent for writing and communication.

Fighting for Freedom: An Abolitionist

Denison later became a clergyman, which is a religious leader. He used his skills to support important causes. He became the editor of The Emancipator. This was the very first newspaper in New York that spoke out against slavery. He also helped with other publications that shared similar anti-slavery messages. People who worked to end slavery were called abolitionists.

International Roles and Wartime Service

In 1853, Charles Denison became a consul for the United States. A consul is like a diplomat who represents their country in another nation. He served in British Guiana, which is now the country of Guyana.

During the American Civil War, he traveled to Lancashire, England. There, he gave speeches to support the Union cause. He explained why the North was fighting to keep the country together and end slavery.

Later, in 1867, he edited an American newspaper in London. At the same time, he was also a pastor at Grove Road Chapel in Victoria Park, London. This shows he continued his religious work while living abroad.

Towards the end of the Civil War, he served as a chaplain. He worked as a post chaplain in Winchester, Virginia. He also served as a hospital chaplain in Washington, D.C. Chaplains provide spiritual support to soldiers.

Charles Denison's Published Works

Charles Denison wrote many books and poems. His works covered different topics.

• The American Village and other Poems (1845): A collection of his poetry.
• Paul St. Clair: A story that promoted temperance, which means avoiding alcohol.
• Out at Sea (1867): Another collection of his poems.
• Antonio, the Italian Boy (1873): A story for younger readers.
• The Child Hunters (1877): This book talked about problems with the pardon system.

He also wrote a series of biographies during the Civil War. These books told the life stories of famous military leaders:

• The Tanner Boy: About Ulysses S. Grant, who became a famous general and later president.
• The Bobbin Boy: About Nathaniel P. Banks, another important general.
• Winfield, the Lawyer's Son: About Winfield Scott Hancock, a general during the Civil War.

Mary Andrews Denison: A Talented Author

Charles Wheeler Denison's wife was Mary Andrews Denison. She was also a very talented writer. She was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 26, 1826.

When she married Charles, she started working with the Olive Branch newspaper. Her husband was an assistant editor there. Mary continued to write for many magazines. When they lived in British Guiana, she wrote articles about tropical life for American magazines. She also contributed to English magazines while in London.

Mary Andrews Denison was known for her stories about home life. Some of her popular books include:

• Home Pictures (1853): A collection of her sketches.
• Gracie Amber (1857)
• Old Hepsey, a Tale of the South (1858)
• Opposite the Jail (1858)
• The Lovers' Trials (1865)
• Annie and Teely (1869)
• That Husband of Mine (1874): This book was incredibly popular, selling over 200,000 copies very quickly!
• That Wife of Mine (1877)
• Rothmell (1878)
• Mr. Peter Crewett (1878)
• His Triumph (1883)
• What One Boy can Do (1885)

She also wrote many books for Sunday schools. Mary Andrews Denison was a very successful and busy writer.