Francis Joseph Grund

Background

Grund was born on September 19, 1805, in Reichenberg, Bohemia (now Liberec, Czech Republic).

Education

Grund studied mathematics and philosophy at the University of Vienna.

Career

Grund emigrated to the United States about 1827. He soon settled in Boston, where he taught at the Chauncy Hall school. During his sojourn in Boston he published textbooks on geometry, algebra, chemistry, astronomy, and natural philosophy. From statements in his writings it may be inferred that he remained there about ten years. In 1836 he was in London, where he published his first important literary work, The Americans in Their Moral, Social and Political Relations (1837), which appeared in his own German translation contemporaneously at Stuttgart. There was also an American edition in 1837, which Charles Sumner reviewed favorably in the North American Review of January 1838. The book was intended to correct gross misapprehensions and "inspire the English with more just conceptions of American worth, and increase the respect and friendship of America for England. " Grund's next literary venture was far more critical: Aristocracy in America, from the Sketch-book of a German Nobleman (2 vols. , London, 1839), published also in German the same year. In the meantime, however, Grund had become interested in journalism and politics. A stanch Jackson Democrat, he had written a campaign document in support of Van Buren. His chairmanship of a convention of German citizens of the United States (more educational than political) held at Pittsburgh in 1837, produced the impression that he was able to control the German vote. The consulship in Antwerp, given him as a reward, did not prove satisfactory and he returned to take up residence in Philadelphia, as editor of a Whig paper, the Standard, and Grund's Pennsylvanischer Deutscher. He opposed Van Buren in 1840, stumped and wrote for Gen. William Henry Harrison, and was appointed to the consulship at Bremen in 1841. This position also proved disappointing and he returned to Philadelphia the following year. There he founded his paper the Age and contributed regularly to the Philadelphia Public Ledger. As political correspondent of the latter he spent his winters in Washington and is credited with being the father of the journalistic sensational style, full of hints of best sources and information from behind the scenes. In 1844 he supported the Democratic candidate Polk and the annexation of Texas. In the following election he favored Lewis Cass rather than Zachary Taylor, but in 1852 he was more happy in his choice, when he used his influence effectively for the Democratic candidate Franklin Pierce. Failing to obtain the consulship he desired, he began attacking Pierce in the Public Ledger in April 1853. He made the greatest effort of his life in support of James Buchanan, Democrat and native Pennsylvanian, who sent him to the consulate at Havre, considered one of the most lucrative posts in the service, which he held until 1861, when Lincoln came into office. His personal success, however, lost him his influence over the German vote. The German immigrants to the Middle West and Northwest cast their votes with the new Republican party for Frémont in 1856 and listened to the fiery eloquence of younger leaders, Carl Schurz, Friedrich Hassaurek, the trusted Gustav Körner, and others, who brought a German avalanche of votes in the next election in favor of Lincoln. Grund, who had stumped for Stephen A. Douglas, could not bring even an infinitesimal portion of the German vote into the Democratic column. Still he remained with the Democratic party even during the beginning of the Civil War, editing the Age. Suddenly in September 1863 Grund saw the light and in an ardent speech at the Union League Club of Philadelphia declared himself in favor of the Republican party. Deep resentment was felt by his former Democratic friends, and when, on September 28, 1863, a demonstration in favor of Gen. George B. McClellan was organized on the streets of Philadelphia and lingered about his home, Grund, fearing for his life, fled for protection to the nearest police station. There he collapsed and died of a cerebral hemorrhage before medical aid could reach him.

Achievements

• Grund is best remembered as the author of such works as The Americans in Their Moral, Social, and Political Relations (1837).

Works

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  • Aristocracy in America: Pt. I. the Adventures of a Day Spent Among the Bloods in New York

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

  • Handbuch Und Wegweiser Für Auswanderer Nach Den Vereinigten Staaten Von Nordamerika Und Texas (German Edition)

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

  • An Elementary Treatise on Geometry, Simplified for Beginners Not Versed in Algebra, Part I, Containing Plane Geometry, with Its Application to the Solution of Problems

    ( About the Book Science is a systematic enterprise that ...)

  • Thoughts and Reflections on the Present Position of Europe: And Its Probable Consequences to the United States

    (Leopold is delighted to publish this classic book as part...)

  • Americans: in their Moral, Social, and Political Relations (Volume 1) (Travel in America)

    ( Vol. 1 of 2 )

Personality

Contemporaries described Grund as an orator of extraordinary power, equalled or surpassed only by Carl Schurz. He skilfully spiced his arguments with wit and sarcasm and boldly charged against his opponents with a dynamic vigor. Still there was something lacking in the man.

References

• Gesammelte Ausgewählte Werke: Balladen, Romanzen und vermischte Gedichte, 1906, Zweiter Band (German Edition)
• Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner. Vol. I. 1811-1838
• Das Deutsche Element in Dem Vereinigten Staaten Von Nordamerika, 1818-1848 (Classic Reprint)