Stephen Simpson (writer)
| Stephen Simpson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 24, 1789 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 17, 1854 (aged 65) |
| Occupation | banker, journalist, writer, politician |
| Political party | Jeffersonian Republican, Jacksonian Democrat, Working Men's Party, Federalist, Whig |
| Spouse(s) | Mary C. Watkins |
Stephen Simpson (July 24, 1789 – August 17, 1854) was born in Philadelphia, the son of George Simpson, a prominent Philadelphia banker. During the War of 1812 he fought in the Battle of New Orleans under General Andrew Jackson. Through his father's connections Stephen became a cashier at the First Bank of the United States where he soon resigned and went to work at Stephen Girard's bank. Soon after he worked as a writer for a local newspaper where he wrote a series of editorials publicly attacking the First Bank of the United States. He later co-founded the Columbian Observer where he continued his public attacks on this bank.
Simpson later preferred writing over political pursuits and is also noted for his other works which include a dual biography of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and another biography critical of prominent Philadelphia banker Girard. Simpson's social and political philosophy embraced both conservative and radical ideals.
Stephen Simpson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 24, 1789. He was married to Mary Chaloner Watkins but there is no record about the date of marriage, any children or other related information available. His father, George Simpson (1759–1832) had been an assistant commissary-general in the American Revolution and had a career in banking. Stephen's father held successively important positions in the Bank of North America chartered by the Confederation Congress, the Bank of the United States and in the Girard Bank of Philadelphia. Stephen gained a keen understanding of how the banks operated and of their many abuses from his father. Stephen's younger brother Henry, was a member of the Pennsylvania State legislature, and later wrote a book, The lives of eminent Philadelphians, now deceased, 1859, which includes short biographies of his older brother Stephen and his father George.
As a young man Simpson was given a position through his father as a note clerk in the First Bank of the United States, from which he later voluntarily resigned in contempt when he learned of the questionable ways in which they conducted their affairs. Like his father, he then went to work for Stephen's bank, which financed and made possible America's involvement in the War of 1812.
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