Author: Clason, Isaac Starr
Biography:
CLASON, Isaac Starr (1789?-1834: WBIS)
Some sources give much later birthdates: 1796 and 1798. But they are in accord over his birth- and death-place. Born in New York, the son of a wealthy merchant, he was well educated and inherited a fortune, which he wasted "in a course of prodigal living" (Duyckinck). He became an actor, playing Shakespearean roles in New York without much success. Eventually he went to London to try his luck. Reduced to poverty there, he sealed up the room in which he and his mistress lived, lit a charcoal fire, and died of the fumes. (Duyckinck; Appleton)
Books written (4):
New York: printed by William Grattan, 1820
New York: Charles Wiley, 1825
2nd edn. New York: Charles Wiley, 1825
New York: J. M. Campbell, 1826