Editor, Author and Writer. As a young boy of eight Alden worked fourteen hours a day as a "bobbin boy" in a cotton mill in Hoosick Falls, New York. By 1853 he entered William College and supported himself by teaching. He spent the next three years at Andover Theological Seminary, but never entered the ministry. He began his literary career while at the seminary when unknown to him, Harriet Beecher Stowe, a long time friend had secretly sent two of his articles to the Atlantic Weekly for possible publishing. After returning to Hoosick Falls he continued to write and also filled vacant pulpits in the city. In 1861 Alden came to New York and lectured in a young ladies school, later supplementing his income by writing articles for The New York Times and The New York Evening Post. A year later his affiliation with Harper & Brothers was begun. The publishing house printed a descriptive guidebook of the Central Railroad of New Jersey which Alden had been commissioned to write. He became assistant editor of Harper's Weekly, and in 1869 was made editor of Harper's Magazine, which position he continued to fill until his death. About the time he made his first contact with Harpers & Brothers, Alden was invited to deliver a course of lectures at the Lowell Institute in Boston, the compensation from which enabled him to meet the debt he incurred while at Williams College and Andover Seminary. The honorary degrees of Doctor of Literature and Doctor of Laws were conferred upon him in 1890 and 1907, respectively, by his alma mater. In addition to the monthly essays which appeared in Harper's Magazine under the title of "The Editor's Study." Alden was the author of three books, "Magazine Writing and the New Literature," "God in his World," and "A Study of Death".
Editor, Author and Writer. As a young boy of eight Alden worked fourteen hours a day as a "bobbin boy" in a cotton mill in Hoosick Falls, New York. By 1853 he entered William College and supported himself by teaching. He spent the next three years at Andover Theological Seminary, but never entered the ministry. He began his literary career while at the seminary when unknown to him, Harriet Beecher Stowe, a long time friend had secretly sent two of his articles to the Atlantic Weekly for possible publishing. After returning to Hoosick Falls he continued to write and also filled vacant pulpits in the city. In 1861 Alden came to New York and lectured in a young ladies school, later supplementing his income by writing articles for The New York Times and The New York Evening Post. A year later his affiliation with Harper & Brothers was begun. The publishing house printed a descriptive guidebook of the Central Railroad of New Jersey which Alden had been commissioned to write. He became assistant editor of Harper's Weekly, and in 1869 was made editor of Harper's Magazine, which position he continued to fill until his death. About the time he made his first contact with Harpers & Brothers, Alden was invited to deliver a course of lectures at the Lowell Institute in Boston, the compensation from which enabled him to meet the debt he incurred while at Williams College and Andover Seminary. The honorary degrees of Doctor of Literature and Doctor of Laws were conferred upon him in 1890 and 1907, respectively, by his alma mater. In addition to the monthly essays which appeared in Harper's Magazine under the title of "The Editor's Study." Alden was the author of three books, "Magazine Writing and the New Literature," "God in his World," and "A Study of Death".
Gravesite Details
From a Find a Grave volunteer-The cemetery office states Henry's grave is unmarked. He is in a plot of 5 graves including Susan Foster Alden, Annie Fields Alden, Carolyn Alden, and Harriet C. Alden. Henry is buried to the left of Susan Foster Alden
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