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Thayer & Eldridge facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
1860 LeavesOfGrass Thayer Eldridge NYPL
Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, published in 1860

Thayer & Eldridge was a book publishing company that existed for a short time, from about 1860 to 1861. It was located in Boston, Massachusetts. The company was started by two people: William Wilde Thayer and Charles W. Eldridge.

Even though it was only around for a little while, Thayer & Eldridge published books by some important writers. These included James Redpath, Charles Sumner, and Walt Whitman. The company stopped publishing books and closed down in 1861 because it ran out of money.

Books Published by Thayer & Eldridge

1860 Thayer Eldridge ad2
An advertisement from 1860 for Thayer & Eldridge's "National Library" books

Thayer & Eldridge published several interesting books during their time. Here are some of the titles they released:

  • Rufus B. Sage. Rocky Mountain Life: Or, Startling Scenes and Perilous Adventures in the Far West, during an Expedition of Three Years. This book was about exciting adventures in the American West and came out in 1859.
  • Walt Whitman. Leaves of Grass, 3rd edition. This famous collection of poems by Walt Whitman was published by them in 1860.
  • James Redpath. The public life of Capt. John Brown. This book, published in 1860, was about the life of John Brown.
  • James Redpath, editor. Echoes of Harper's Ferry. Also from 1860, this book collected writings related to the Harper's Ferry event.
  • Charles Sumner. The Barbarism of Slavery: Speech of Mr. Charles Sumner on the bill for the admission of Kansas as a free state, in the United States Senate, June 4, 1860. This was a speech given by a well-known politician, published in 1860.
  • William T. Adams. Marrying a beggar: or The Angel in disguise, and other tales. A collection of stories published in 1860.
  • William Douglas Conner. Harrington; a Story of True Love. This novel was published in 1860.
  • C.W. Dana. The Great West, Or The Garden of the World: Its History, Its Wealth, Its Natural Advantages, and Its Future. This book about the American West came out in 1861.
  • A Son of Temperance, editor. Thrilling Scenes in Social Life or The Opposite Effects of Vice and Virtue. This book was published in 1860.

Books That Were Planned But Not Published

Because Thayer & Eldridge went out of business, some books they had planned to publish never made it to print. These included:

  • Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, by Harriet Jacobs. This important book was written under a pseudonym (a fake name) and was edited by L. Maria Child.
  • Guide to Hayti, by James Redpath.
  • Asphodel; a Novel, by Ada Clare.