Born in Cambridge, New York. Graduate of the College of New Jersey, now Princeton, in 1843. Studied law and admitted to the bar in 1846. He practiced law in New York City. Married Mary Trumbull May 1, 1851. He practiced law in New York City 1851 to 1861.

He became editor of the New York Journal of Commerce in 1861 and president of the Associated Press until 1869. He was professor of art at the College of New Jersey after 1884. He promoted the establishment of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and served as trustee and vice president after 1874. He died in New York City.

He contributed articles on coinage to Harper's New Monthly Magazine published in 1860. Author of Coins, Medals, and Seals, Ancient and Modern in 1861.

bio: ApCAB; DAB; Drake; NCAB 13; TCBDA; WWWA-1