author
Henry Peterson
1818–1891
A 19th-century American man of letters, he moved easily between poetry, fiction, drama, and journalism. Best known for his long connection to The Saturday Evening Post, he helped shape literary culture in Philadelphia while writing across several genres.
1 Audiobook
Dulcibel: A Tale of Old Salem
by Henry Peterson
About the author
Born in Philadelphia on December 7, 1818, Henry Peterson was an American editor, novelist, poet, and playwright. He belonged to a well-known publishing family and became a prominent literary figure in the city through both his writing and his work in publishing.
Peterson is especially associated with The Saturday Evening Post, which he edited for many years, and with H. Peterson & Company, the publishing firm he owned. His career ranged widely: he published poetry, wrote fiction and plays, and left behind manuscript dramas that show how active he remained across different forms of writing.
That mix of editorial influence and creative ambition makes him an appealing figure for readers interested in 19th-century American literature. He is remembered not just for a single famous title, but for the breadth of his work and for the role he played in the literary world of his time.