[William Livingston]. American author, born in Virginia on the 9th of October 1837. From early youth he was an enthusiastic devotee of canoeing, and it was he who practically introduced this sport into the United States. After graduation from Washington and Jefferson College in 1858, he founded the Canoe Club of New York City and began to write stories for boys. He became the humorous editorial writer of the New York Times, and was one of the editors of The Idler. In 1885 Mr. Alden was appointed consul-general at Rome. After his service there, he removed to London, where he has since remained and been a frequent contributor to English magazines. His best-known stories for boys are Toby Tyler; The Moral Pirates; Life of Columbus; and Cruise of the Canoe Club. See also “Gibberish” and “An Unnecessary Invention.”
