HOLLAND, Josiah Gilbert, American ed itor and author: b. Beichertown, Mass., 24 July 1819; d. New York, 12 Oct. 1:•:1. He began the study of medicine in 1840, in 1844 was gradu ated from the Berkshire Medical College, and entered practice at Springfield, Mass. The years that followed were discouraging, for patients did not come to the young doctor. With true Yankee versatility he turned his hand to anything,— taught district school, was a travel ing writing-master and a daguerreotypist. Of his boyish mortification at being a mill hand he has written in 'Arthur Bonnicastle.' He tried editorial work, and started The Bay State Weekly Courier, which ran for six months. Subsequently he taught at Richmond, Va., and for 16 months was superintendent of public schools at Vicksburg, Miss. All these varied experiences gave him the knowledge of Ameri can life and appreciation of workday struggles which later made the value of his poems, essays and novels. In 1849-66 he was assistant editor of the Springfield Republican, and from 1851 also part owner of that journal. It was largely due to his influence that the Republican be came so widely known and popular a journal.
In it his 'Letters to Young People Married and Single: By Timothy Titcomb' first attracted readers by their vivacious style, moral sincerity and good common sense. Later, in book form (1858) they had a great and immediate success. In 1870 Dr. Holland was one of the founders and became editor of Scribne?s Monthly, later the Century Magazine and the editorship of this periodical he retained till his death in 1881. Holland's novels 'Arthur Bonnicastle> (1873); 'Sevenoaks' (1876) and 'Nicholas Minturn> (1877), although showing his quick and sympathic observation and containing fine passages, have been less popular than his poems. The latter, in their constant appeal to the moral sense, and in their accurate portrayal of the homely and picturesque in New York life, found many admirers. Several of the short lyrics with 'Bittersweet' (1858) ; 'Kathrina> (1868) and 'The Mistress of the Manse' (1871), came as messages of an American poet who understood and honored his ownpeople. Con sult the 'Life' by Plunkett (1894).