Robert Charles Sands

Background

He was born on May 11, 1799 in New York City, United States, the son of Cornelia (Lott) and Comfort Sands. It was probably from his mother that he inherited his love of learning.

Education

At seven he began the study of Latin and became so proficient in the classical languages that in October 1812, he was admitted to the sophomore class of Columbia College, where he distinguished himself both in the classics and in other branches of learning. Sands in 1815 began the study of law.

Career

At Columbia he made the acquaintance of James Eastburn, and their friendship became in time one of the most intimate in early Knickerbocker literature. In college they established in succession two short-lived literary periodicals.

He found time to form with Eastburn and two other friends an association known as the "Literary Confederacy. " In addition to writing and circulating a manuscript periodical called the "Aeronaut, " the members of this organization, in its social life so typical of early literary New York, contributed to the New-York Daily Advertiser in 1817 a series of essays called "The Neologist" and in 1819 to the Commercial Advertiser another called "The Amphilogist. "

In 1817 Sands published The Bridal of Vaumond, a metrical romance in the manner of Scott dedicated to Washington Irving, which was attacked for its immaturity by the Analectic Magazine, February 1818. With Eastburn he had begun another poem, Yamoyden, based on the life of the Indian chief, Philip. Before it was finished, Eastburn died, and Sands edited and completed it as a memorial to his friend, publishing it in 1820. In the same year he was admitted to the bar but after a few years withdrew to devote himself to literature.

In 1821 the "Literary Confederacy" began to publish a periodical called St. Tammany's Magazine, its contents consisting largely of literary parody and burlesque. In 1824 Sands became for a short period editor of the Atlantic Magazine; and when in 1825 the magazine merged with the New York Review, under the editorship of William Cullen Bryant, he was engaged as an assistant. In May 1826 the magazine was discontinued.

In 1827 he joined the editorial staff of the New-York Commercial Advertiser, a position he held until his death. In the meantime other literary schemes had also occupied his attention. His study of the Spanish language and history resulted in a biographical sketch of Hernando Cortes, which was translated into Spanish. In the same year he joined with Bryant and Gulian C. Verplanck in the publication of an annual called The Talisman, to which he contributed some of his best work.

In 1830 he edited the Life and Correspondence of John Paul Jones, and in 1832 he contributed to the Tales of Glauber-Spa his best short story, "Boyuca. "

In the midst of his literary labors his life was suddenly cut short by an apoplectic stroke. At the family home in Hoboken he died.

Achievements

• His best work is considered to be in his short stories. His most well-known poem is Yamoyden, which is an Indian story written in collaboration with James Wallis Eastburn. He is considered part of the "Knickerbocker group", a group of writers who contributed to the magazine "The Knickerbocker", devoted to the fine arts in particular with occasional news, editorials and a few full-length biographical sketches.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Sand Patch: Clash of Titans (B&O-PRR)

    (Fascinating history of the battle for dominance between t...)

  • Yamoyden a tale of the wars of King Philipin six cantos

    (Lang- eng, Pages 356 It is the reproduction of the origin...)

  • The Bridal Of Vaumond: A Metrical Romance ......

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

  • The Atlantic Magazine, Vol. 2: November, 1824 April, 1825 (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from The Atlantic Magazine, Vol. 2: November, 182...)

  • The Writings of Robert C. Sands, in Prose and Verse, Vol. 1 of 2: With a Memoir of the Author (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from The Writings of Robert C. Sands, in Prose an...)

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• "His warmth and kindness of disposition, " writes his friend Verplanck (post), "attracted and strongly attached to him many intimate friends, whom he loved with an unwavering constancy and affection. "

Connections

He was unmarried and lived during the latter part of his life at the family home.

Father:

Comfort Sands

Mother:

Cornelia (Lott) Sands

coworker:

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

coworker:

Oliver Wendell Holmes

coworker:

William Cullen Bryant

coworker:

James Russell Lowell

Friend:

James Eastburn