Tilton, Theodore

Tilton, Theodore,

1835–1907, American journalist, b. New York City. After working for the New York Observer he was (1863–71) editor in chief of the Independent, a Congregationalist weekly. He later managed (1872–74) his own weekly, the Golden Age. A popular lyceum speaker, Tilton supported various social reforms such as woman suffrage. He and his wife were active parishioners of Henry Ward BeecherBeecher, Henry Ward,
1813–87, American Congregational preacher, orator, and lecturer, b. Litchfield, Conn.; son of Lyman Beecher and brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe. He graduated from Amherst in 1834 and attended Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati.
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, whom, in what has been called 19th-cent. America's most famous scandal, Tilton sued (1874) for alleged adultery with Mrs. Tilton. The suit lasted for months and ended in a hung jury. In 1883, Tilton went to Europe, where he lived for the remainder of his life. His publications include a romantic novel, Tempest Tossed (1873), and several volumes of poetry.

Bibliography

See R. Shaplen, Free Love and Heavenly Sinners (1954); R. W. Fox, Trials of Intimacy (2000).