Background

Thomas Wharton Collens was born on June 23, 1812 in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. He was the son of John Wharton Collens and Marie Louise de Tabiteau.

Education

Collens received limited education.

Career

For a while Collens was employed as a printer. As a young man he contributed to the city papers a number of articles dealing with social problems in which he had become interested. Some of these appeared in the True American, edited during the thirties by his kinsman, John Gibson, “the faithful and bold. ” At this time Collens was a follower of Robert Dale Owen in his peculiar deistical doctrines and social theories. The philosophy of Fourier also made a deep appeal to him.

Turning to the study of law, young Collens was admitted to the bar in 1833. His rise to prominence in the courts of his native city was rapid. The following year (1834) he held the position of clerk and reporter of the state Senate. He further served as chief deputy clerk of the federal circuit court (1836 - 1838), and as district attorney for the Parish of Orleans (1840 - 1842). As a result of his ability, industry, and fidelity, criminal law was administered during this time with marked vigor. His reward came in being designated as presiding judge of the city court of New Orleans (1842 - 1846). Later he served as judge of the first district court (1856), and after the Civil War he was twice elected judge of the seventh district court (1867 - 1873). He then resumed the practise of his profession. He was also a member of the convention which framed the constitution of 1852. Though opposed to secession, Collens cast in his lot with the Confederacy. A close student, with quick and penetrating faculties, and habits of unusual methodical industry, his decisions while judge were accepted by the bar with marked respect.

Collens also distinguished himself as an author. In 1869 he published his “Lines to the Memory of Father Turgis". At the age of twenty-four he brought out an historical tragedy in five acts entitled The Martyr Patriots; or Louisiana in 1769. This drama was performed in the old St. Charles Theatre in 1836. In addition to “Hu- manics” and the “History of Charity, ” his most pretentious work is The Eden of Labor; or the Christian Utopia (1876). In the introduction to this volume the author states that his intention is “to carry to legitimate and ultimate consequences, the fundamental principles admitted by all economists, viz. , ‘Labor is the real measure of the exchangeable value of all commodities and services, ’ and to show that the principle and its application rest still deeper upon the rights of God, and the law of neighborly love propounded by our Lord Jesus Christ. ” From this it is seen the author had left far behind the theories of his youth.

Achievements

• Thomas Wharton Collens became prominent for his service in the judicial system of the state of Louisiana. As a writer, he was remembered by his “Lines to the Memory of Father Turgis, ” printed among other places in the Living Writers of the South (1869).

Works

More photos

• book

  • Humanics

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

  • Analytic Digest of the Acts of the Legislature, Now in Force, Constituting the City Charter of New-Orleans. Volume 1 of 2

    (Title: Analytic Digest of the Acts of the Legislature, No...)

  • Analytic Digest on the Ordinances in Force, in Municipality No. One, on the 13th May, 1846. Volume 2 of 2

    (Title: Analytic Digest on the Ordinances in Force, in Mun...)

  • Humanics 1860 Hardcover

    (Lang:- eng, Pages 388. Reprinted in 2015 with the help of...)

Religion

At one time Collens had attained the rank of grand master in masonry, but for a number of years before his death he was a devout Catholic.

Personality

In person Collens was a man of courtly manners and address, making himself an agreeable social companion. He spoke French by choice, saying that it was impossible to converse well in any other language. A little above medium height in stature, with dark hair and eyes, indicative of his Creole origin, his features were prepossessing, if not handsome.

Connections

Collens was married to Amenaide Milbrou by whom he had eight children.

Father:

John Wharton Collens

Mother:

Marie Louise de Tabiteau

Spouse:

Amenaide Milbrou

References

• Religion and Radical Politics: An Alternative Christian Tradition in the United States