If a magazine contributor was asked what, in his opinion, represented
the ultimate happiness of his ilk, he would probably reply, “the
editorship of the Century.” That enviable position is at present
held by Richard W. Gilder, and that Mr. Gilder has done honor to the
wisdom which placed him in the editorial chair, is made manifest by
the body matter of the magazine itself. He was born in Bordentown,
New Jersey, February 8, 1844, his father being the Rev. William H.
Gilder, and he was educated in the seminary established by his father
at Flushing, Long Island. In 1863 he became a private in Landis’
Philadelphia battery, and, at the expiration of his term of service,
had a year’s experience as a railroad man. Later he was correspondent,
and afterward managing editor, of the Newark (New Jersey) Advertiser.
From that time on Mr. Gilder has lived in an editorial atmosphere. In
connection with Newton Crane he established the Newark Register, next
edited the defunct New York monthly publication called Powers at Home,
made his mark while so doing, attracted the notice of the Scribner
management, and was made managing editor of its magazine in 1870 and
editor-in-chief in 1881. Mr. Gilder has taken a prominent part in
movements and organizations which had for their object the improvement
of municipal conditions. He has held office as chairman of the New York
tenement house commission, was the first president of the New York
kindergarten association and is president of the Public Art League of
the United States. He is also a member of the City club and of the
Civil Service Reform league. His published books of poems include The
Celestial Passion, Five Books of Songs and Two Worlds.