Richard Linthicum

Born in Libertytown, Maryland, on March 30, 1859, Richard Linthicum later worked as an observer for the United States Weather Bureau from 1877 to 1880 before moving into newspaper work and magazine writing. Sources also describe him as a critic of literature and plays, which fits the broad, public-facing tone of much of his writing.

Linthicum published across several genres. His early A Book of Rocky Mountain Tales appeared in 1892, and he also became known for large anthologies and reciters meant for home, school, and public performance, including The American Literary Reciter, Best Recitations, and The Ideal Orator. He was also associated with topical and historical works, including books tied to major public events and personalities such as Woodrow Wilson.

He died on January 20, 1934. While he is not widely famous today, his surviving books suggest a versatile professional writer who moved easily between storytelling, journalism, quotation collections, and practical guides for speaking and performance.