Brownson, ORESTES AUGUSTUS

Brownson, ORESTES AUGUSTUS, a versatile American writer, born at Stockbridge, Vermont, in 1803. In turn a Presbyterian, a Universalist, and next a Unitarian pastor, in 1844 he found rest in the Roman Catholic communion. Throughout his life he wrote with ability and warmth in defence of his opinions at the time, and took an active interest in social and political questions. His most important work was published in the Boston Quarterly Review, and afterwards in Brownson's Review. He died at Detroit, April 17, 1876. Among his books are Charles Elwood, or the Infidel Converted (1840), The Spirit-rapper (1854), and The Convert (1857), all with an autobiographic interest; and The American Republic, its Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny (1865).