George William Curtis

George William Curtis was born into a wealthy family in Providence, Rhode Island. He got his education from private tutors and then went to boarding school. With his older brother, Burrill, Curtis spent 18 months at the Brook Farm commune where he took advantage of its academic opportunities. When he moved to Concord, Massachusetts, he lived among some of America's leading literary figures, such as Emerson, Hawthorne, and Thoreau. From there, Curtis and his brother spent four years in Europe, Egypt, and Syria.
When he returned to the United States, he was accomplished and determined to create a career combining journalism and literature. During the 1850's, he worked as a critic and travel writer for the New York Tribune, an editor for Putnam's Magazine, which he also helped create, and a columnist for Harper's Monthly and Harper's Weekly. From his experience in Europe and the Middle East, Curtis also became a best-selling author of travel books and novels.
In his position as editor for Harpers' two news publications, Curtis sought to sway public opinion about many political and social movements such as emancipation, civil rights and equality for African Americans, Native Americans, and women, civil service reform, public education, and environmental conservation.
In 1871, Curtis was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to chair the commission on the reform of the civil service. From then on, Curtis was the leader of this reform and most of its progress is due to his work. He became president of the National Civil Service Reform League as well as of the New York Civil Service Reform Association.

Sources: http://www.andrewjohnson.com/11biographieskeyindividuals/GeorgeWilliamCurtis.htm