Playwright, poet, and diplomat, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. His romantic tragedies were among the few such plays to be successful, and his most popular was Francesca da Rimini (1855). He also served as envoy to Turkey and Russia.
George Henry Boker (October 6, 1823 – January 2, 1890) was an American poet, playwright, and diplomat.
Youth
Boker was born in Philadelphia. Boker, a wealthy banker, whose financial expertness weathered the Girard National Bank through the panic years of 1838-40, and whose honour, impugned after his 1857 death, was defended many years later by his son in "The Book of the Dead."
George Henry Boker was brought up in an atmosphere of ease and refinement, receiving his preparatory education in private schools, and entering Princeton in 1840.
He was left in easy circumstances, and was able to devote his time to literature, as well as boxing and dancing.
Charles Godfrey Leland, a relative, recounted:
"As a mere schoolboy, Boker's knowledge of poetry was remarkable.Boker graduated from Princeton in 1842.
Literary recognition
In 1848 his first volume of verse, "The Lessons of Life, and other Poems," was published.
Also, he met Bayard Taylor and Richard Henry Stoddard, who would be long-lasting friends.
Launched in the literary life, Boker began to write assiduously.
This was soon followed by other plays.
During this time, in correspondence with his friends, Boker was determining to himself the distinction between poetic and dramatic style. But Boker was not wholly wed to theatrical demands;
Francesca da Rimini, (1853) is the play he is most well-remembered for. Boker published the original version, called the reading version, but used an acting version for the stage which had more directness and dramatic flow.
The American Civil War not only turned Boker's pen to the Union Cause, but changed him politically from a Democrat to a staunch Republican.
In the 1860s, the Union League Club was founded, with Boker as the leading spirit; In 1869, Boker issued Königsmark, The Legend of the Hounds and other Poems, and this ended his dramatic career until his return from abroad.
Diplomatic activities
President Ulysses S. Grant sent Boker to Constantinople, as U.S. Minister (his appointment dated November 3, 1871)--an honour undoubtedly bestowed in recognition of his national service.
Boker's initial enthusiasm for Turkish scenery and culture was unbounded, but after a time, his ignorance of the tongue, and distrust of interpreters, contributed to his frustration.
In 1875 he was transferred to Russia, which was considered a more prestigious position.
The new political administration resulting from the 1876 American election viewed Boker unfavorably. Despite support from Emperor Alexander II of Russia, Boker was recalled in 1878.
Later years
On January 15, 1878, Boker withdrew from diplomatic life, returning to the United States.
In 1882 Lawrence Barrett mounted a revival of Francesca da Rimini. This brought more public interest in Boker and his other work, which necessitated the reprinting of several of his books.
His home in Philadelphia--one of the literary centres of the time,--bore traces of his Turkish stay--carpets brought from Constantinople, Arabic designs on the draperies, and rich Eastern colours in the tapestried chairs.
Boker died in Philadelphia, January 2, 1890.
In addition to the works already mentioned, Boker also wrote hundreds of sonnets.
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