Daniel Pierce Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Pierce Thompson
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From Volume II (1856) of Cyclopaedia of American Literature
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| 15th Secretary of State of Vermont | |
| In office 1853–1855 |
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| Preceded by | Farrand F. Merrill |
| Succeeded by | Charles W. Willard |
| Probate Judge of Washington County, Vermont | |
| In office 1841–1842 |
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| Preceded by | George Worthington |
| Succeeded by | Azel Spaulding |
| In office 1837–1840 |
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| Preceded by | Jason Carpenter |
| Succeeded by | George Worthington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1, 1795 Charlestown, Massachusetts |
| Died | June 6, 1868 (aged 72) Montpelier, Vermont |
| Resting place | Green Mount Cemetery, Montpelier, Vermont |
| Political party | Republican (from 1856) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic Liberty Whig |
| Spouse | Eunice Knight Robinson (m. 1831–1868, his death) |
| Children | 6 |
| Relatives | William O. Douglas (Great-grandnephew) |
| Education | Middlebury College |
| Profession | Attorney Politician Author |
Daniel Pierce Thompson (born October 1, 1795, died June 6, 1868) was an American writer and lawyer. He was a very famous novelist in New England before Nathaniel Hawthorne. He also served as Vermont's Secretary of State.
Contents
Early Life of Daniel Thompson
Daniel P. Thompson was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on October 1, 1795. When he was five years old, his family moved to Vermont. He grew up in Berlin, Vermont.
In 1820, he graduated from Middlebury College. After college, he moved to Virginia. There, he worked as a teacher and studied law. He became a lawyer and then returned to Montpelier, Vermont, to practice law.
Daniel Thompson's Political Career
Daniel Thompson held several important jobs in Vermont. From 1825 to 1830, he was a Register of Probate for Washington County. This job involved handling legal documents related to wills and estates.
He also worked for the Vermont House of Representatives. He was an Engrossing Clerk from 1830 to 1833 and again from 1834 to 1836. This role involved preparing official copies of bills.
Thompson and the Anti-Slavery Movement
Thompson was first part of the Democratic Party. Later, he joined the Liberty Party. This party was strongly against slavery. Thompson became very involved in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery.
From 1849 to 1856, he edited an anti-slavery newspaper called Green Mountain Freeman. This newspaper helped spread ideas against slavery.
Serving as a Judge and Secretary of State
Thompson served as a Probate Judge for Washington County. He held this position from 1837 to 1840 and again from 1841 to 1842. In 1835, he put together the Laws of Vermont, which was a collection of the state's laws.
In 1838, he helped start the Vermont Historical Society. This group works to preserve Vermont's history. He was also Washington County Clerk from 1844 to 1846. From 1853 to 1855, he was the Vermont Secretary of State. This is a high-ranking state official.
After being part of the Whig Party, he joined the Republican Party when it was formed in the 1850s.
Daniel Thompson's Writing Career
Daniel Thompson was a popular writer. He was inspired by famous authors like James Fenimore Cooper and Walter Scott. He wrote exciting historical adventure and romance novels. Many of his stories were about life in Vermont.
Famous Books by Daniel Thompson
In 1835, he wrote May Martin, or the Money Diggers. People really liked this book, and it made him famous. He often wrote about Vermont during the Colonial and Revolutionary War times.
Some of his other well-known books include:
- The Adventures of Timothy Peacock (1835)
- The Green Mountain Boys (1840)
- Locke Amsden, or the Schoolmaster (1845)
- The Shaker Lovers, and Other Tales (1848)
- Lucy Hosmer, or the Guardian and the Ghost (1849)
- The Rangers, or the Tory's Daughter (1850)
- The Tales of the Green Mountains (1852)
- Gaut Gurley, a Tale of the Umbagog (1857)
- The Doomed Chief, or King Philip (1860)
- Centeola (1864)
Thompson also wrote a book about the history of his town, called History of the Town of Montpelier (1859).
Thompson's Impact as a Writer
Daniel Thompson was the most famous novelist in New England during the 1840s and 1850s. His books helped make the story of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys well-known to many people. He was good at telling action and adventure stories in a clear and fast way. This made his novels popular for a long time, even into the 1900s. Many of his books are still available today.
Death and Family
Daniel Thompson passed away in Montpelier on June 6, 1868. He was buried at Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier.
He married Eunice Knight Robinson in 1831. They had six children: George Robinson, Alma, William P., Frances, Greenleaf, and Charles Sumner.
Daniel Thompson was also an ancestor of U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.
Images for kids
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Daniel Pierce Thompson
