(1823-1890)
Mr. Boker was a man of leisure by inheritance, and a scholar and author
by training and choice. His work is usually deliberate, careful, and
polished: the work of a man of solid culture, of much experience and
knowledge of the world; of a man of dignity and social position, not a
Bohemian. It is thoughtfully planned and carefully executed, but not
written through inspiration or prompted by passion. Yet it does not lack
vigor, nor are his puppets merely automata. His plays have life and
force; and they are moreover good acting dramas. 'Francesca da Rimini'
especially, with Lawrence Barrett in the role of Lanciotto, was
decidedly successful on the stage. In keeping with the character of his
work, the scenes of his plays are all laid in foreign countries and in
other times: Portugal, England, Spain, and Italy are the fields in which
his characters play their parts. His personages have an individuality of
their own and are consistently drawn; the action is lively, the humor is
natural and a needful foil to the tragedy.
[Illustration: George H. Boker.]
Mr. Boker was fond of the sonnet, as poets are apt to be who have once
yielded to its attraction, and he used it with much effect. But chiefly
his poems of the Civil War will make his name remembered. His lyre
responded sympathetically to the heroic deeds which characterized that
conflict--not always with the smoothness and polish of his more studied
work, but worthily, and in the spirit of the time.
He was born in Philadelphia, October 6th, 1823, and died there January
2d, 1890. He was graduated from Princeton in 1842, and after studying
law and traveling for a number of years in Europe, settled down in his
native city, where most of his life was spent. He was Minister to Turkey
from 1871 to 1875, and Minister to Russia from 1875 to 1879. His first
volume, 'The Lesson of Life and other Poems,' was published in 1847, and
was followed by various plays.--'Calaynos,' 'Anne Boleyn,' 'The
Betrothal,' 'Leonor de Guzman,' 'Francesca da Rimini,' etc., which, with
some shorter pieces, were collected in 'Plays and Poems,' published in
1856. His 'Poems of the War' appeared in 1864, and still later a number
of other volumes: 'Street Lyrics,' 'Our Heroic Themes' (1865),
'Königsmark' (1869), 'The Book of the Dead' (1882), a very close
imitation of 'In Memoriam' in both matter and form, and
'Sonnets' (1886).