William Duane

author

William Duane

1760–1835

A fiery newspaper editor and political campaigner, he helped shape the rough-and-tumble world of early American democracy. His life carried him from Ireland and London to Calcutta and Philadelphia, where his writing made him a powerful voice in Jeffersonian politics.

1 Audiobook

A military dictionary : or, Explanation of the several systems of discipline of different kinds of troops, infantry, artillery, and cavalry: the principles of fortification, and all the modern improvements in the science of tactics: comprising the pocket gunner, or little bombardier, the military regulations of the United States: the weights, measures, and monies of all nations: the technical terms and phrases of the art of war in the French language: particularly adapted to the use of the military institutions of the United States

A military dictionary : or, Explanation of the several systems of discipline of different kinds of troops, infantry, artillery, and cavalry: the principles of fortification, and all the modern improvements in the science of tactics: comprising the pocket gunner, or little bombardier, the military regulations of the United States: the weights, measures, and monies of all nations: the technical terms and phrases of the art of war in the French language: particularly adapted to the use of the military institutions of the United States

by William Duane

About the author

Before becoming a major figure in American journalism, he led an unusually restless life across several parts of the British world. Born in 1760, he worked with radical newspapers in Ireland and London, then went on to publish papers in Calcutta, where clashes with colonial authorities ended in suppression and deportation.

After settling in Philadelphia in the 1790s, he became best known as editor of the Aurora, one of the most influential Republican newspapers of the era. The paper strongly opposed Federalist policies and backed Thomas Jefferson, making him both admired and feared for his sharp political writing.

He was also an author and publisher whose career stretched far beyond daily journalism. Remembered as a combative, energetic public voice, he stands out as one of the early republic's most forceful newspaper men.