The Galaxy (magazine) facts for kids
The Galaxy Vol. 1 Issue 2, May 15, 1866, featuring an excerpt of The Claverings by Anthony Trollope
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| Frequency | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Publisher | W.C. and F. P. Church |
| Founder | W.C. and F. P. Church |
| Founded | 1866 |
| First issue | May 1, 1866 |
| Final issue | 1878 |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | New York City |
| Language | English |
Galaxy Magazine, also known as The Galaxy, was a popular American magazine. It was published once a month. Two brothers, William Conant Church and Francis P. Church, started it in 1866.
In 1868, a company called Sheldon and Company took over the magazine. Later, in 1878, The Galaxy joined with another famous magazine, The Atlantic Monthly. Many well-known writers contributed to The Galaxy, including Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, and Henry James.
The Story of The Galaxy Magazine
The Church brothers, William and Francis, had a background in journalism. Before starting The Galaxy, William Church worked as a reporter during the American Civil War. He wrote for newspapers like the New York Evening Post and The New York Times.
In 1863, the brothers started a military newspaper called the Army and Navy Journal. Then, in 1866, they launched The Galaxy magazine. Some people believe that Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., who also named The Atlantic Monthly, might have helped name The Galaxy.
The Church brothers managed and edited the magazine for two years. Then, in 1868, Sheldon and Company became the publishers. They continued publishing The Galaxy for ten more years. In 1878, they decided to stop printing it, and the magazine became part of The Atlantic.
After The Galaxy closed, Francis Church became a writer for the New York Sun newspaper. He wrote a very famous Christmas article there. It's the one often called "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."
Famous Writers in The Galaxy
The Galaxy was known for publishing works by many important writers of its time. Besides the Church brothers, other talented people worked on the magazine.
- Early Editors and Writers: Frederic Beecher Perkins, a skilled librarian and editor, worked in the office. Richard Grant White wrote special articles. As the magazine grew, more writers joined. George E. Pond, who had worked on the Army and Navy Journal, wrote a political column called "Drift-Wood." S.S. Conant, an editor for Harper's Weekly, wrote about fine arts for The Galaxy. James F. Meline reviewed French and German books. From 1871 to 1874, Professor E.L. Youmans managed the "Scientific Miscellany" section. Charles Astor Bristed, also known as Carl Benson, wrote for a section called "Casual Cogitations."
- Henry James's Early Stories: The magazine published many of Henry James's first short stories. These included "A Day of Days" in 1866, "A Light Man" in 1869, and "Madame de Mauves" in 1874.
- Mark Twain's Column: From 1870 to 1871, Mark Twain wrote a monthly column called "Memoranda." He announced that his column would discuss "political economy." Twain wrote over eighty pieces for The Galaxy. He was paid $20 per page, which was more than double the usual rate!
- Walt Whitman's Contributions: In December 1866, The Galaxy published the first essay about the poet Walt Whitman. It was written by his friend John Burroughs and was titled "Walt Whitman and His Drum-Taps."
The magazine also printed four of Whitman's poems: A Carol of Harvest (1867), Brother of All with Generous Hand (1870), Warble for Lilac-Time (1870), and 0 Star of France (1871). The Galaxy even published parts of Whitman's famous essay Democratic Vistas. The first part, Democracy, came out in December 1867, and the second part, Personalism, appeared in May 1868. Being published in The Galaxy was important for Whitman. It was a respected and popular magazine that paid well, helping his career and reputation.
See also
- List of literary magazines
- Essay
- Short story
- Sequel to Drum-Taps
Images for kids
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The Galaxy Vol. 1 Issue 2, May 15, 1866, featuring an excerpt of The Claverings by Anthony Trollope
