by Shannon Butler
If you’ve been reading this blog since the beginning, you know that when we use the term “History Nerd,” we mean it with the highest possible respect. To be a true history nerd, you must love the study of history. You read about it all the time, you brake for historic site signs along the road, you partake in watching documentaries on TV (love me some Ken Burns!), you might even volunteer some of your time and/or money to a local historical society. One of the area’s earliest history nerds would go on to become a nationally known historian and illustrator, a man of many talents: Benson John Lossing.
Lossing was born in Beekman in 1813 and was orphaned at a young age. He did not receive much of a formal education (unlike modern-day historians), but instead, he was a quick learner and eager to take on different projects and skills. At the age of 13, he made his way to Poughkeepsie and began an apprenticeship with Adam Henderson making jewelry and watches. He entered into a partnership with Henderson within a few years. He then moved on to the printing business under the guidance of E.B. Killey, and by 1835, Lossing was the part owner and editor along with Killey of the Poughkeepsie Telegraph newspaper. Shortly thereafter, he began the publication of the semi-monthly literary paper known as the Poughkeepsie Casket (see image on right). It was during these early years of working in publication that Lossing became interested in two areas of study: history and the art of wood engraving (see examples of the latter on right).
Lossing studied wood engraving under the guidance of illustrator J.A. Adams. Much of his work appeared in not only the Poughkeepsie Casket, but also in the many history books he would produce and famous periodicals like Harper’s Weekly. His interest in American history developed over time as he traveled and studied as much as he could. His first book, Outline of the History of Fine Arts, was published in 1840. His list of works is too lengthy to note here, but includes such works as Biographical Sketches of the Signers of the Declaration of American Independence (1848), Pictorial Fieldbook of the Revolution (1852), Life of Washington: A Biography Personal, Military, Political (1860), and The Hudson from the Wilderness to the Sea (1866). Lossing had the great benefit of being able to turn to still-living veterans who had served in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and, of course, the Civil War, which broke out around his prime. He perfected the art of the interview (what modern-day historians refer to as Oral History) and therefore was able to interpret much more history then had ever been collected before.
He was clearly interested in the endeavors of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, who, in the 1850s, worked to save and restore the home of George Washington. He worked to gather funds from all over the county to be sent, as seen in this letter on the right from our collections, in which he goes on to write, “On giving this report it is well to state that Dutchess County stands among the first of those with in the state which have made a full offering towards purchasing the home of the Father of our country.” The MVLA still has a large collection of Lossing’s writings and personal correspondence with the ladies who started it all.
Lossing came back and settled in Dover Plains on an estate called Chestnut Ridge, which still stands today. It is said that he designed for himself a fireproof library to store all of his work and collections (our kind of guy!). Despite not having a proper education, he was awarded several honorary degrees during the course of his life, being referred to as Dr. Lossing in later years. He was good friends with Matthew Vassar and served as a trustee of Vassar College, which also holds many of his personal papers. He died in his home on June 3, 1891, leaving behind his second wife, Helen (his first, Alice, had died in 1855), two sons, and a daughter who had taken up an interest in art as well. One newspaper wrote, “the death of historian and publisher, Lossing, brings sorrow to millions of Americans.” There is a legacy that all historians can hope for.
Resources:
Poughkeepsie Eagle News – 01 Jul 1891
The Benson Lossing Collection, Dutchess County Historical Society
Poughkeepsie Journal – 25 Nov 1979
The Evening World – 4 Jun 1891
The Olean Democrat – 18 Jun 1891
Images:
01 – “Benson J. Lossing.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed December 9, 2020. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-3c83-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
02 – Engraving from The Civil War in American by Benson J. Lossing – LH Collections
03 – Engraving of the Poughkeepsie Female Academy, by Benson Lossing from the Poughkeepsie Casket, 19 May 1838. – LH Collections
04 – List of towns sending money to the MVLA, written by Benson Lossing, no date – LH Collections
05 – Beers map showing Benson Lossing’s land in Dover Plains, 1876 – LH Collections
