John Reuben Thompson (1823–1873)

American author, born in Richmond, VA, on the 23rd of October 1823. He was graduated at the University of Virginia in 1844, and afterward began the practice of law in Richmond, but soon abandoned that profession for literature. In 1847 he became editor of the Southern Literary Messenger, and continued to conduct that magazine until 1859. In Augusta, GA, he edited the Southern Field and Fireside; went to Europe in 1863, and became connected with the staff of the London Index, at the same time contributing to Blackwood’s Magazine; returned to America after several years, and became literary editor of the New York Evening Post. He wrote some poems, the best of which are The Burial of Latane; The Death of Stuart; and The Battle Rainbow. He died in New York City on the 30th of April 1873.