Thomas Fitzgerald (1819-1891)
Thomas Fitzgerald | |
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Biography
The following biography is from Memorial History of the City of Philadelphia, from Its First Settlement to Year 1895. By John Russell Young, Howard Malcolm Jenkins, George Oberkirsh Seilhamer. Published by New York History Co., 1898.
FITZGERALD, COLONEL THOMAS, journalist, dramatist, and art critic, was born in New York City, December 22, 1819, and died in London, England, June 25, 1891. The Fitzgerald family is descended from the Geraldines of Ireland, and Colonel Fitzgerald was himself a warm friend of the late Duke of Leinster. He early chose a journalistic career, first as assistant editor on the New Brunswick Fredonian, and soon afterward forming a connection with the New York Commercial Advertiser. At the age of twenty he visited Florida, and for a while was connected with the Floridian, of Tallahassee, Florida. In 1844 he removed to Philadelphia and pursued his journalistic vocation in connection with the Bulletin and other journals for some years. His training now had been varied and thorough, and he was ready and anxious for independent enterprise. In 1847 he established The Item, at first as a weekly, but its success was so continuous that, in 1852, he turned it into a daily. The enterprise, successful at the start, has since grown to colossal proportions. Long before Colonel Fitzgerald's death he was recognized as one of Philadelphia's most popular and successful journalists.
Colonel's Fitzgerald's popular recognition as a dramatic writer was first established in 1868,when his first drama, "Light at Last," achieved a brilliant success, with Mrs. John Drew as the heroine. It had a run in New York, Boston, Chicago, and other principal cities. Other productions were "Wolves at Bay, " Tangle Threads, "Patrice" (for Miss Laura Keene), "Perils of the Night," etc. It is notable that, while Controller of the public schools of Philadelphia, he was the first to advocate and introduce music into the order of school exercises. His pamphlet at this time, "Music in Our Public Schools," achieved a wide popularity, and parts of it were republished in foreign journals. The London Telegralgh recognized it as "one of the most thoroughly practical and valuable publications on the subject that had ever appeared."
As an after-dinner speaker, Colonel Fitzgerald achieved a wide reputation, and as an extemporaneous speaker and brilliant orator he received the highest praise from the Honorable Charles Sumner. He stumped the State of Pennsylvania twice for Mr. Lincoln, with John W. Forney, who was an enthusiastic admirer of his ability as an orator. Both Mr. Lincoln and his Secretary of War, Stanton, were his warm personal friends.
In 1890, Colonel Fitzgerald retired from business, transferring The Item to his sons, Riter, Harrington, and Hildebrand. Riter became the dramatic, musical, and art critic; Harrington the managing editor, and Hildebrand the business manager. Under their skillful management The Item has become one of the most valuable publications in America.
Colonel Fitzgerald's death occured while on a trip through Europe, suddenly, from an attack of influenza. He was accompanied by his son Riter. His body was brought home and buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery beside his wife. Colonel Fitzgerald made many public and private bequests, in the latter taking special pains to escape the public eye. He presented to the Academy of Fine Arts Bisbing's celebrated picture "Dans la Prairie," which was awarded a medal in the Paris Salon. His large and valuable collection of paintings was left to the Academy, to be placed in the special gallery known as the "Fitzgerald Collection," but the Academy lacked the room for them.
In 1844 Colonel Fitzgerald was married to Sarah Levering Riter, daughter of Dr. George W. Riter, and a descendant of the celebrated Levering family. His surviving children are Riter, Harrington, Hildebrand, and Maude.
The following biography is from Men of the century, an historical work: giving portraits and sketches of eminent citizens of the United States. Charles Morris. I. R. Hamersly & co., 1896.[1]
Colonel Thomas FitzGerald, the well-known journalist, dramatist, art critic, and philanthropist, was born in New York City, December 22, 1819, and died in London, England, June 25, 1891.
Colonel FitzGerald was descended from the Geraldines of Ireland, and was a warm friend of the late Duke of Leinster, as well as his father, the Marquis of Kildare. Colonel FitzGerald began his career by becoming assistant editor of the New Brunswick Fredonian. He was soon after connected with the New York Commercial Advertiser. In 1839 he visited Florida, and was connected with The Floridian, at Tallahassee, Florida.
Colonel FitzGerald removed to Philadelphia in 1844, and, after having been connected with the Bulletin and other journals, finally established The Item in 1847.
The paper was at first published weekly, but made such a success that it was turned into a daily in 1852, with such gratifying results that, before Colonel FitzGerald's death, the circulation had increased to two hundred thousand copies daily and Sunday.
Colonel FitzGerald became a controller in the public schools, and was the first one to insist upon the introduction of music into the schools. He was also a director of the Musical Fund Society and a member of the Union League and many charitable associations.
He wrote a number of plays that were very successful; his first drama, "Light at Last," having, in 1868, achieved a brilliant success with Mrs. John Drew as the heroine. It was performed in New York, Boston, Chicago, etc. He also wrote "Wolves at Bay," "Tangled Threads," "Patrice" (for Miss Laura Keene), "Perils of the Night," etc.
Colonel FitzGerald's charities were numerous, but he always declined to give them publicity.
Colonel FitzGerald was a brilliant orator. His intimate friend, the Hon. Charles Sumner, pronounced him one of the best extemporaneous speakers he had ever heard. Hon. Morton McMichael declared that he was one of the wittiest after-dinner speakers in America.
Hon. John W. Forney was also an enthusiastic admirer of Colonel FitzGerald's ability as an orator. Together they stumped the State of Pennsylvania for Abraham Lincoln twice. Mr. Lincoln was a warm friend of Colonel FitzGerald, as was also Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War during the Rebellion. Mr. Lincoln desired to send Colonel FitzGerald abroad as minister to Spain, but he declined the compliment, and his son, Riter FitzGerald, who had been for four years during the Rebellion private secretary of General Thomas, was sent as consul to Moscow, Russia.
In 1844, Colonel FitzGerald married Sarah Levering Riter, a daughter of Dr. G. W. Riter, and a descendant of the celebrated Levering family. Their surviving children are Riter, Harrington, Hildebrand, and Maude.
In 1890, Colonel FitzGerald retired, transferring The Item to his sons Riter, who became the dramatic, musical, and art critic; Harrington, whose business abilities are exceptional, as managing editor; and Hildebrand, whose versatility is remarkable, as business manager.
Under their skilful management The Item has grown more prosperous than ever, and is one of the most valuable publications in the United States.
While on a tour through Europe with his son Riter, Colonel FitzGerald expired suddenly from an attack of influenza. His body was brought home and buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery, beside his wife.
Colonel FitzGerald bore the reputation of being one of the most popular and successful journalists Philadelphia has possessed. He left an estate valued at $3,000,000.
His pamphlet on "Music in our Public Schools" achieved a wide popularity, and portions of it were republished in the journals of London with highly complimentary remarks, the London Telegraph remarking that it was one of the most practical and valuable publications on the subject that had ever appeared.
Colonel FitzGerald practised what he preached. He was generous in his donations, and presented to the Academy of the Fine Arts Bisbing's celebrated picture, "Dans la Prairie," which was awarded a medal in the Paris Salon. His private bequests were numerous, but he left a special request that they should not be made public. He consented to present his large and valuable collection of paintings to the Academy of the Fine Arts, if the directors would place them in a special gallery, to be called "The FitzGerald Collection," but the offer could not be accepted for lack of room. The collection was then divided among his family. It contained fine specimens of Sully, Neagle, Hamilton, and many other American and foreign artists.
Obituary
Obituary not available.
Notes
Some burial information obtained from Mount Moriah Cemetery Records 1856-1978, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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