Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1892, volume 3).djvu/289

Rh sided at Bordentown, and managed Bonaparte's affairs during his absence. Mr. Hopkinson was the author of various addresses and articles on legal and ethical subjects, but he is best known as the author of the national song, " Hail, Columbia," which he wrote in the summer of 1798 for the bene- fit of an actor and former school-mate named Fox, to an air entitled " The President's March," com- posed in 1789 by a German named Feyles. This song, inciting national pride, probably helped to avert entanglement in the European conflict.

HOPPER, Isaac Tatem, philanthropist, b. in Deptford township, Gloucester co., N. J., 3 Dec, 1771 ; d. in New York city, 7 May, 1852. He learned the tailor's trade of an uncle in Philadelphia. He early joined the Quakers, and afterward became a believer in the doctrines taught by Elias Hicks, whose followers were subsequently known as Hicksites. When he was young, Phila- delphia was infest- ed by slave kidnap- pers, who committed many outrages. Under these circumstances the Pennsylvania abolition society, of which Mr. Hopper became an active and leading member, was frequently called upon to Erotect the rights of colored people, and in time e became known to every one in Philadelphia as the friend and adviser of the oppressed race in all emergencies. He wasxone of the founders and the secretary of a society for the employment of the poor ; overseer of the Benezet school for colored children ; teacher, without recompense, in a free school for colored adults ; inspector of the prison, without a salary ; member of a fire company, and guardian of abused apprentices. When pestilence was raging, he was devoted to the sick, and the poor were continually calling upon him to plead with importunate landlords and creditors. He was not unfrequently employed to settle estates in- volved in difficulties, which others were disinclined to undertake, and he had occasional applications to exert his influence over the insane, for which he had a peculiar tact. Although he was a poor man with a large family, his house was for many years a home for impoverished Quakers, and he trans- acted much business for the Society of Friends. In 1829 he removed to New York to take charge of a book-store established by the Hicksite Quakers. In the autumn of 1830, being called to Ireland on business connected with his wife's estate, he availed himself of the opportunity to visit England. In both countries he was at first treated somewhat cavalierly by the orthodox Quakers, and pointed out as the one "who has given Friends so much trouble in America." His candor and amiability, however, soon removed these unfavorable impres- sions, and he had no occasion ultimately to com- Elain of his reception. On his return to New York, e threw himself heart and soul into the work of the Prison association, whose aims and plans of action were entirely in accordance with his views. To render such practical aid as would enable the repentant to return to society, by engaging in some honest calling, he devoted the greater part of his time and attention. No disposition was too per- verse for his efforts at reform ; no heart so hard that he did not try to soften ; no relapses could exhaust his patience, which, without weak waste of means, continued " hoping all things " while even a dying spark of good feeling remained. In the spring of 1841, the demand for Hicksite books ha ring greatly diminished, Friend Hopper became treasurer and book-agent for the Anti-slavery so- ciety. Although he had reached the age of seventy, he was as vigorous as a man of fifty. In 1845 he relinquished these offices, and devoted the rest of his life entirely to the work of the Prison associa- tion. In his labors he was greatly assisted by a married daughter, Abby H. Gibbons, who was as vigilant and active in behalf of women discharged from prison as was her father in behalf of men. Through her exertions, an asylum was founded for these unfortunates, which was called the " Isaac T. Hopper Home." The aged philanthropist fre- quently had occasion to visit Albany, N. Y., Jto represent the association and to address the legis- lature. Judge Edmonds thus refers to one of these occasions : " His eloquence was simple and direct, but most effective. If he was humorous, his audi- ence were full of laughter; if solemn, a death-like stillness reigned ; if pathetic, tears flowed all around him." He had often to plead for the par- don of prisoners, and Gov. John Young, of New York, once said to him : " Friend Hopper, I will pardon any convict whom you say you conscien- tiously believe I ought to pardon." The career of this untiring benefactor is best summed up in the words of one of his own sect : " The Bible requires us to love our neighbors as well as ourselves ; and Friend Hopper has loved them better ! " His life was written by Lydia Maria Child (Boston. 1853).

HOPPIN, William Jones, diplomatist, b. in Providence, R. I., 21 April, 1813. He studied at Yale and at Middlebury college, Yt., where he was graduated in 1832, and then pursued the law course at Harvard, obtaining the degree of LL. B. in 1835. He frequently visited Europe, contributed articles on art subjects to American and European periodi- cals, and edited the " Bulletin " of the American art union. He also wrote several dramatic pieces, which were acted. He was one of the founders of the Centurv association, usuallv called the Centurv club, of New York, in 1846. From 1876 to 1886 he was secretary of the U. S. legation at London, at various times acting as charge d'affaires. — His brother, Thomas Frederick, artist, b. in Provi- dence, R. I., 15 Aug., 1816. early showed artistic talents, and studied in Philadelphia, and in Paris under Delaroche, After his return to the United States, in 1837, he took up his residence in New York city, where he made the designs of the four evangelists which compose the great chancel win- dow of Trinity church. A figure of a dog that was modelled by him is supposed to have been the first piece of sculpture cast in bronze in the United States. He has produced statues and groups in plaster; also many etchings in outline and other pictures illustrating American life and history, and has drawn and engraved on wood. — Another broth- er, Augustus, artist and author, b. in Providence, R. I., 13 July, 1828. was graduated at Brown in 1848, studied' law, and practised for a short time in Providence, but his love of art impelled him to abandon the law. After spending the years 1854 and 1855 in study and observation in the galleries of Europe, he returned to the United States, de- voted himself to drawing on wood, and by his spirited and graceful rendering gained a high reputation as an illustrator of books. Among the works for which he drew designs are " The Poti-