Henry Houghton

Henry Houghton Poems

Henry Houghton Biography

Henry Oscar Houghton (pronunciation help, audio file) (April 30, 1823 – August 25, 1895) was an American publisher, co-founder of Houghton Mifflin, and a mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Houghton was born poor in Sutton, Vermont, and at 13 started work as apprentice at The Burlington Free Press where he became a typesetter. After graduation from the University of Vermont, he moved to Boston to work first as a reporter, then proofreader. He then joined a small Cambridge firm, Freeman & Bolles, that typeset and printed books for Little, Brown and Company. At age 25 he became a partner and in 1849 the company was renamed Bolles and Houghton. After Bolles left, he took on full responsibility. In 1852 Houghton moved the business to beside the Charles River, renaming it the Riverside Press. Before the Riverside Press, American books had generally been printed with poor ink on cheap paper. Houghton insisted on much higher quality; his motto was "Do it well or not at all." The result was very successful. He became the main printer for publishers Ticknor and Fields, and in 1863 was engaged by G. & C. Merriam Company to print and bind their new dictionary. In 1864 Houghton formed a partnership with Melancthon M. Hurd, a New York publisher. Hurd & Houghton was a quick success, and within three years the company increased its workforce from 90 to 300 employees. George Harrison Mifflin became partner in 1872, and when Houghton became mayor of Cambridge, Mifflin succeeded him as lead partner. In 1878, when Hurd retired, Houghton joined with James R. Osgood (formerly of Ticknor and Fields) to make Houghton, Osgood and Company. Lawson Valentine would become the third partner and provide $200,000 in fresh capitol. The firm was plagued by personal debts from Osgood. The firm dissolved and in 1880 Houghton and Mifflin formed Houghton, Mifflin and Company. He died on August 25, 1895, and Mifflin would assume full control of the company.)

The Best Poem Of Henry Houghton

A Reply To The Conquered Banner

Gallant nation, foiled by numbers!
Say not that your hopes are fled;
Keep that glorious flag which slumbers,
One day to avenge your dead.
Keep it, widowed, sonless mothers!
Keep it, sisters, mourning brothers!
Furl it now, but keep it still-
Think not that its work is done.
Keep it till your children take it,
Once again to hall and make it,
All their sires have bled and fought for;
All their noble hearts have sought for-
Bled and fought for all alone!
All alone! ay, shame the story!
Millions here deplore the stain;
Shame, alas! for England's glory,
Freedom called, and called in vain!
Furl that banner, sadly, slowly,
Treat it gently, for 'tis holy;
Till that day-yes, furl it sadly;
Then once more unfurl it gladly-
Conquered banner! keep it still!

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