Winthrop, Theodore, 1828-1861
Biographical Note
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Theodore Winthrop (1828-1861) was the son of Francis Bayard Winthrop and Elizabeth Woolsey. After studying at Yale and spending time writing novels and short stories, Winthrop enlisted in the 7th New York Regiment at the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861. After being appointed to General Benjamin Butler's staff with the rank of major, he was killed during the first land engagement of the war at Big Bethel, Virginia, a short distance from the city of Hampton. His unpublished novels were published postumulusly, including "Cecil Dreeme", "John Brent", and "Edwin Brothertoft", among others. Overall, his writings gained critical success after his death.
Source:
"Theodore Winthrop papers" entry, nypl.com, http://archives.nypl.org/mss/3363#overview