Rufus Wilmot Griswold (1815–1857) was an American anthologist, editor, poet, and critic. Born in Vermont, he worked as a journalist, editor, and critic in Philadelphia, New York City, and elsewhere. He built up a strong literary reputation, in part due to his 1842 collection The Poets and Poetry of America. This anthology, the most comprehensive of its time, included what he deemed the best examples of American poetry. He produced revised versions and similar anthologies for the remainder of his life, although many of the poets he promoted have since faded into obscurity. Many writers hoped to have their work included in one of these editions, although they commented harshly on Griswold's abrasive character. Edgar Allan Poe, whose poetry had been included in Griswold's anthology, published a critical response that questioned which poets were included. This began a rivalry which grew when Griswold succeeded Poe as editor of Graham's Magazine at a higher salary than Poe's. Griswold considered himself an expert in American poetry and was an early proponent of its inclusion on the school curriculum. He also supported the introduction of copyright legislation, speaking to Congress on behalf of the publishing industry, although he was not above pirating other people's work.

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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1889:

The Dakota Territory, an organized incorporated territory of the United States, was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Dakota

1909:

Lambda Chi Alpha, today one of the largest men's general fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 270,000 members, was founded at Boston University. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambda_Chi_Alpha

1917:

British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour issued the Balfour Declaration, proclaiming British support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfour_Declaration_of_1917

1947:

American industrialist and aviator Howard Hughes flew Spruce Goose , the largest flying boat ever built, on its maiden flight from the coast of Long Beach, California, USA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughes_H-4_Hercules

1963:

President of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem was assassinated, marking the culmination of a coup d'état led by Duong Van Minh. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrest_and_assassination_of_Ngo_Dinh_Diem

2000:

Aboard Expedition 1, American astronaut William Shepherd and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko became the first resident crew to arrive at the International Space Station. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

frisson (n): 1. A sudden surge of excitement. 2. A shiver http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/frisson

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

You know, "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely"? It's the same with powerlessness. Absolute powerlessness corrupts absolutely. Einstein said everything had changed since the atom was split, except the way we think. We have to think anew. --Studs Terkel http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Studs_Terkel