and Richard Carter and Charles Hendee (Carter and Hendee), soon to become the Old Corner Bookstore. Fields continued to educate himself in much the manner Benjamin Franklin educated himself during his early years in Philadelphia. Fields read widely in the books available in the shop, developed associations with other young men from the provinces similarly eager for self-education, and joined the Boston Mercantile Library Association. During his first decade or so in Boston, Fields not only developed literary ambitions but also gained some local success by being selected to read his poems on several public occasions (once sharing the platform with Governor Edward Everett) and having some of them published as far afield as New York.
Fields was by character an expansive extrovert with a talent for friendship that contributed much to his professional success. Handsome, hearty, good-natured, and enthusiastic, he was an attractive and lively companion. As a young man, he was something of the modish, cane-carrying, literary dandy. As he aged he became more corpulent and comfortable, though still a conspicuous personage with his large head accentuated by unruly hair and full beard. He was good-humored and fond of talking, talented at mimicry and anecdote.
This is a free page. This page contains 191 words. This
biography contains 4,557 words (approx. 15 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Biography with our James Thomas Fields Access Pass.
