author
John Guy Vassar
1811–1888
A globe-trotting 19th-century traveler and generous civic figure, he turned years of travel into a lively account of the wider world. He was also part of the Vassar family circle that helped shape the cultural life of Poughkeepsie.
1 Audiobook
Twenty years around the world
by John Guy Vassar
About the author
Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, on June 15, 1811, John Guy Vassar was the nephew of Matthew Vassar, founder of Vassar College. After his father died shortly before his birth, he and his brother were raised within the Vassar family, and he went on to become a businessman, trustee, and philanthropist closely tied to the family's civic projects.
He is best remembered as the author of Twenty Years Around the World (1861), a travel narrative drawn from his long journeys across Europe, Asia, Africa, and other regions. The book reflects a strong curiosity about places, people, and everyday life, giving modern listeners a window into how an American traveler of his era saw the world.
Vassar remained deeply connected to Poughkeepsie throughout his life and was known for charitable giving as well as public service. He died there on October 27, 1888, leaving behind both a substantial travel memoir and a lasting place in the history of the Vassar family.