Background

Edwin Bacon was born in Providence, Rhode Island, of good Scotch and English ancestry on both sides, being the son of Henry Bacon, a Universalist clergyman, and of Eliza Ann (Munroe) Bacon.

Education

After an education at private schools in Providence, Philadelphia, and Boston, rounded off with a few months at an academy in Foxboro, Massachussets.

Career

Bacon started, at nineteen, his career as a journalist, beginning as a reporter on the Boston Daily Advertiser. He rapidly advanced through various subordinate positions, securing additional experience by working for a year with the Illustrated Chicago News and (1868 - 72) with the New York Times as assistant night editor and news editor. In 1873 he was appointed editor of the Boston Globe, resigning, however, in 1878 over a matter of policy. He then returned to the Daily Advertiser, of which he became chief editor in 1883. In May 1886 he took over the editorial control of the Boston Post, holding the position until 1891, when he withdrew because of impaired health.

After abandoning active newspaper work, Bacon devoted himself chiefly to the preparation of books descriptive of Boston and of New England. In succession he published A Dictionary of Boston (1886), Boston Illustrated (1893), Historic Pilgrimages in New England (1898), Literary Pilgrimages in New England (1902), Boston: A Guide Book (1903), The Connecticut River and the Valley of the Connecticut (1906), and Rambles Around Old Boston (1914), the last being a very pleasant volume, attractively illustrated with drawings by Lester G. Hornby. Bacon knew Boston as few of its residents have known it, and no one has written better than he about interesting spots in that city. He died, February 24, 1916, in Cambridge, being survived by both his wife and his daughter.

Many younger men were trained under him to be thorough and accurate. Although he was not in any marked degree either original or brilliant, he insisted on high standards in his profession and he set a fine example for others to follow. By realizing the responsibility of his editorships and making the most of the opportunities which they offered, he performed an important service in his community.

Achievements

• He is remembered as an editor who worked for the Boston Daily Advertiser and The Boston Globe.

Works

More photos

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  • Rambles Around Old Boston

    (Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We h...)

  • The Connecticut River and the Valley of the Connecticut; Three Hundred and Fifty Miles From Mountain to sea; Historical and Descriptive

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • Walks and Rides in the Country Round about Boston; Covering Thirty-Six Cities and Towns, Parks and Public Reservations, Within a Radius of Twelve Miles from the State House

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • Direct Elections And Lawmaking By Popular Vote: The Initiative, The Referendum, The Recall, Commission Government For Cities Preferential Voting (1912)

    (This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)

  • An Historical Digest of the Provincial Press: Being a Collation of All Items of Personal and Historic Reference Printed in the Newspapers of the Provincial Period ... Illustrated

    (This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before ...)

  • Supplement To The Acts And Resolves Of Massachusetts: Containing Such Legislative Proceedings Recorded In The Public Archives As Are Omitted In The Authorized Edition, Volume 1...

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

  • Walks and rides in the country round about Boston; covering thirty-six cities and towns, parks and public reservations, within a radius of twelve miles from the State house

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• Bacon was described by a fellow newspaper man as "a journalist of the old conscientious school, " a man who "wrought his personality into every line of the newspaper at whose head he stood. "

Connections

He was married, October 24, 1867, to Gusta Hill, daughter of Ira Hill of Boston, by whom he had one daughter.

Father:

Henry Bacon

Mother:

Eliza Ann (Munroe) Bacon

Wife:

Gusta Hill