William Ponsonby Furniss was born 23 June 1821 on the island of St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, and died on 14 April 1882 in New York City.
He attended North Andover Academy in Massachusetts under the tutelage of Simon Putman.
He studied at Harvard University from 1835 to 1841. He was admitted to the senior class in September 1838 and the faculty voted to recommend him for an AB (Bachelor of Arts) degree on 12 July 1839.
Simon Greenleaf, Royall Professor of Law wrote to the President of Harvard University on 25 August 1841 informing him that William had completed his two years of law studies.
He spent his life as a traveler, writer and lawyer. He spent at least two years, 1847-1848, traveling through Europe and Egypt. He authored at least eight books that were published between 1850 and 1874.
The New York City directories between 1851 and 1876 list his occupation as lawyer and notary public. His correspondence, of 8 September 1861, to the State Department included a copy of a circular advertising his business at the Law and Collection Office of William Furniss, Attorney and Counselor at Law, Notary Public and Commissioner of Deeds.
While he sought various positions at foreign missions with the State Department between 1853 and 1867, it appears that he was never successful in his quest.
He wrote a variety of travel type books, historical books and poetry. He used his own name and also wrote under the pseudonyms of Will De Grasse and William C. Kerr.
Born | 23 June 1821 |
Died | 14 April 1882 |
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Born | 23 June 1821 |
Died | 14 April 1882 |
Subjects
Description and travel, Description and travel. [from old catalog], United states, description and travel, gold mines, poetry, tanning animal hides, water springsPlaces
Egypt, Alexandria (Egypt); Malta; Naples, Bologna, Brooklyn (NY), Central Park (NY), Europe, Florence, Nile River. [from old catalog], North Carolina, Rome, Stow (VT), Turkey, United States, Venice (Italy), VermontPeople
Will De GrasseID Numbers
- OLID: OL2442630A
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Alternative names
- Will De Grasse, William C. Kerr
October 11, 2012 | Edited by Sean Furniss | Deleted the middle name "Ponsonby." His father and son were named William Ponsonby but he was just William Furniss |
November 5, 2011 | Edited by Sean Furniss | Edited without comment. |
November 5, 2011 | Edited by Sean Furniss | This information is based on an extensive review of the Furniss family histories in New Hampshire, Guadaloupe, St. Thomas and New York City. |
November 5, 2011 | Edited by Sean Furniss | merge authors |
April 1, 2008 | Created by an anonymous user | initial import |