Author: Lewis, Henry C.
Biography:
LEWIS, Henry C. (fl 1817-20)
Very little information is available about Lewis. He was a printer, publisher, and editor in Philadelphia but seemingly for only a short time. He first appears as editor of the Ladies' Literary Museum (1817); in that role, he solicited subscriptions for his book of poetry (1818). In 1818 he carried on the magazine under another name, the Lady's and Gentleman's Weekly Museum, and Philadelphia Reporter, and printed a Universal Song-Book. Some of his poems were set to music and performed. His next venture was the Literary and Musical Magazine (1819-20), but it did not last long. Newspapers report his imprisonment for debt in 1816; a public appeal in 1817 for subscriptions for a weekly literary periodical "for the benefit of his distressed family" in Philadelphia; and insolvency again in 1819. It is possible that he was the H. C. Lewis who died in Philadelphia on 3 Oct. 1822 and was buried there. (findmypast.com 16 Sept. 2025; WorldCat; National Intelligencer 23 Jan. 1816; Daily National Intelligencer [Washington DC] 31 May 1817; Franklin Gazette [Philadelphia] 10 June 1819) HJ