Parke Godwin (25 February 1816-7 January 1904), social reformer, literary critic, and editor of the New York Evening Post, was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and died in New York City. He was a descendant of a notable New Jersey family that had played an important role in the American Revolution. Godwin's father fought in the War of 1812 and attained officer's rank. The Godwin family was active in the Whig Party and at his father's urging, Parke Godwin pursued a career in law and politics. Godwin enrolled at Princeton and graduated in 1834. Although trained for the bar, Godwin forsook his law practice in New York City for journalism. As a young writer in the city, Godwin soon became affiliated with the New York Evening Post, a newspaper with which he would be intermittently connected for forty-five years. At the Post, Godwin became a devotee of the "Loco-Foco" Democratic principles espoused...