William Cullen Bryant, “the father of American song,” was born in
Cummington, Massachusetts, November 3, 1794. For fifty years he was
the editor of the New York _Evening Post_. He died in New York
City, June 12, 1878. In “Thanatopsis” and “To a Waterfowl” his
genius finds its highest expression.
Francis Marion, one of the most noted partisan leaders of the
Revolution, was born near Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1732. He was of
Huguenot ancestry. He took part in the Cherokee war of 1761, and
rendered conspicuous service throughout the struggle of the colonies for
independence, particularly during the last two years. It is said that
the brilliant British cavalry leader, Colonel Tarleton, first gave him
the name of “swamp-fox.” He died at his plantation near Eutaw, South
Carolina, in February, 1795.