THEODORE DWIGHT was born in Hartford, Conn., March 3, 1796, and died at his residence in Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1866, aged 70. His father was Hon. Theodore Dwight, brother of President Dwight, and a prominent citizen and politician of Connecticut, the Secretary of the Hartford Convention of 1814, of which he published the history. His mother was Abby Alsop, of Middletown, Conn.
Before graduating he had resolved to study theology; but an attack of hemorrhage from the lungs, soon after commencing his theological course, prevented him. He visited Great Britain in 1818, where he spent a year. In 1820 he again went abroad, and visited the greater part of Europe. After his return he published his first book, "Journal of a Tour in Italy in 1821." (N. Y., 1824, 8mo. pp. 468.) In conjunction with William Darby, he edited a "New Gazetteer of the U. S.," published at Hartford in 1833, 8mo. He also published during this year, from stenographic notes, "President Dwight's Decisions of Questions discussed by the Senior Class in Yale College, in 1813 and 1814." (N Y., 12mo. pp. 348.)
In the same year he removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he resided until his death, devoted to literary and philanthropic pursuits. In the origination and organization of the public schools of that city, he was one of the principal movers. He was engaged in several periodicals, and was at one time publisher and editor of the New York Presbyterian. During the greater part of his life, he was accustomed to write for the leading daily and weekly papers, and for magazines.
He devoted much time to the acquisition of foreign languages, and with such success that he conversed readily in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Greek, and to some extent in Hebrew and Arabic. These acquisitions, united with an ardent love of liberty, made him the efficient friend of the various political exiles who have at different times Bought refuge in America. For the last year or two he had been much engaged in translating some of our useful books into Spanish, with a view of introducing them into the Spanish-American States.
In 1841, his "History of Connecticut," 18mo., pp, 450, was published ; and in 1847, " Summer Tours ; or Notes of a
Traveller through some of the Northern and Middle States" In 1851 appeared "The Roman Republic of 1849." (N. T., 12 mo. pp. 240.)
His death was caused by injuries received on the preceding day at the Jersey City depot of the Camden and Amboy Railroad, while leaping from a train in motion.
He married Ellen Boyd, of New York, by whom he had five daughters and one son.
