Draft:William Oland Bourne

Soldier's Friend, W. O. Bourne, and William Bourne should link here

William Oland Bourne (1819-1901) was a clergyman, poet, editor, author, and social reformer. The New York Historical Society & Museum has a collection of his papers.

George Bourne and Mary Oland Stibbs Bourne were his parents. They immigrated from England to New Glasgow, Virginia and had ten children. His father was a minister, editor, and abolitionist. Theodore Bourne (1822-1910), who was active in African American repatriation efforts, and fellow minister Rowland Hill Bourne (1812-1886) were his brothers.

He published Soldier's Friend a newsletter for Civil War veterans and included left handed penmanship contests for veterans who had lost their right arms. He was involved with the Workingmen's Democratic Republican Association and published The Iron Platform.

He authored an illustrated book of fables, books of poetry and song for children, a history of the Public School Society, and The Sale of a Distillery; a pencilling of the present age, Saxton & Miles (1845)

Writings

 * The House That Jeff Built, with John J. Reed (1868)
 * The Sale of a Distillery; a pencilling of the present age Saxton & Miles (1845)
 * Goldenlink, or, Tales and poems for the young, John William Orr engraver
 * Poems of hope and action G. P. Putnam (1850)
 * Gems from fable-land; a collection of fables illustrated by facts Leavitt & Allen (1854)
 * Little Silverstring: or, Tales and poems for the young Charles Scribner (1853)
 * The republic. A poem R. Brinkerhoff (1861)
 * History of the Public school society of the city of New York, with portraits of the presidents of the Society (1870)
 * Now I lay me down to sleep; the prayer of childhood, in literature and song Anson D.F. Randolph & Company (1881)