Forceythe Willson, American journalist. Member staff Louisville (Kentucky) Journal, circa 1857-1864, strong supporter of Union cause during Civil War, contributed many pro-Unionist editorials to paper.
Background
Byron Forceythe Willson was born April 10, 1837 in Little Genesee, Allegany County, New New York He was the eldest son of Hiram and Ann Colvin (Ennis) Willson. In 1846, his father loaded the family and their belongings on a raft and floated down the Allegany and Ohio Rivers to Maysville, Kentucky.
Education
Attended Harvard, 1855-1856.
Career
He was the brother of Kentucky governor Augustus East. Willson. Willson attended Antioch College in Ohio and Harvard University but was prevented from finishing a credential by the onset of tuberculosis. He also published some of his early poetry in the Journal, including his most famous work, "The Old Sergeant," which told a real account of actual people.
On a return trip to New Albany, he was stricken with a pulmonary hemorrhage.
Though he eventually recovered enough to make the return trip, he died February 2, 1867.
Achievements
Views
Instead, he became an editorial writer for the Louisville Journal (later part of the Louisville Courier-Journal) His missives often defended the Union cause in the Civil War.
Membership
Member staff Louisville (Kentucky) Journal, circa 1857-1864, strong supporter of Union cause during Civil War, contributed many pro-Unionist editorials to paper.