He received his earlier education in the schools of New York and at Mount Airy Catholic College, where at the age of twelve he translated all of Virgil and Cicero. He learned the printer's trade, although under no necessity to follow it, as he had considerable property by inheritance. He also made music and the languages special subjects of study. For years he was Professor of French in the University of Pennsylvania, and resigned his position to accept the professorship of French and belles-lettres in Chegaray Institute of Philadelphia, which had been established by his aunt and godmother, Madame Heloise Desabaye Chegaray, which position he held until compelled by failing health to resign. Thereafter he lived in retirement, and died October 12, 1884. Before undertaking the professorship mentioned he served for a short time in the United States Cavalry, under Major Ringold at Fort Worth, Texas. He also wrote an excellent translation of Comte de Paris's account of the Civil War.
