George H. Boker (1875-1878)

1875-78

George H Boker

George Henry Boker was a graduate of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he studied law. Instead of practicing law, he chose to write poetry and verse dramas in classical form. He published several books of poems and plays and was a founder of the "Nassau Monthly" as well as the Union Club (now Union League of Philadelphia). He served as Minister to Turkey under President Ulysses S. Grant, before becoming Minister to Russia. He was recalled from Russia early in the administration of President Rutherford B. Hayes. During his tour to Russia, the future Czar Alexander III paid a second visit to America with a Russian naval squadron.