William B. Tappan (1794-1849)

William Bingham Tappan (1794–1849) was an American poet, hymn writer, and Congregational minister known for his prolific religious verse. Born in Beverly, Massachusetts, he was described by one critic as "the most industrious and voluminous of our religious poets". 

Key details about his life and career include:

• Early life: As a young man, Tappan worked as a clockmaker. He began writing verse at the age of nine and published his first book in Philadelphia when he was 23.
• Religious work: Tappan became a pastor and evangelist who was deeply involved with the American Sunday School Union. He became the organization's superintendent in 1822 and was later ordained as a Congregational minister in 1849, the year he died.
• Literary themes: Tappan's poetry explored themes of faith, nature, love, and patriotism. While his works covered a range of topics, his religious beliefs are a dominant theme, particularly in his many hymns. A well-known hymn attributed to him is "'Tis Midnight and on Olives Brow".
• Published works: A productive writer, Tappan released numerous collections throughout his life. Some of his notable publications include:
  • New England and Other Poems (1819)
  • The Poems of William B. Tappan (1834)
  • The Daughter of the Isles, and Other Poems (1844)
  • Sacred and Miscellaneous Poems (1848)
• Recognition: Selections of his poetry were included in Specimens of American Poetry compiled by Samuel Kettell, which showcased his work to a broader audience.
• Personal life: Tappan was the son of Samuel Tappan and Aurelia Bingham. He and his wife, Amelia Colton, had several children together.
• Death: He passed away from cholera in 1849, at the age of 55. 

This was the reply when I searched AI with "What do we know about William B. Tappan?"

My inquiry was prompted by "Late and Early Poems" a tiny, very old book published in 1849 which appeared among my maternal grandfather's collection. His name appears in a web search more because he was published than what he left behind but I found a little treasure on pages 101-103.

I wonder English bayonets

  Flash not their wrath on high and low,

When she, who rules the lightning sets, 

  Her foot in fortress of a foe;--

A darker direr foe than veiled

  Its standard at the British call,

When Bonaparte's planet paled--

  When fel down flat the Chinese wall.

I wonder, greatly. if not qualls

  The mother's heart, and trembles lip.

When merrily, the Prince Of Wales

  Of fiery whiskey takes a sip;--

Or if, by wizard second-sight,

  She sees no horrid vision pass

Of kingdoms crumbling in a night,

  Through peincely Albert's second glass.

I wonder if Victoria's peep

  At this audacious depot, will

Show her what million subjects weep

  When Traffic arms to take and kill;--

And, if that vision may be seen,

  The noble Temperance flag unfurled,--

It's follower marshalled by a Queen,

  For Caledonia and the world!

I wonder if my native land--

  A sleeping giantess -- will act;

And bid republics, kingdoms, stand

  For Truth as one; from vice intact!

She may, she should;--my friend, she will,

  When every freeman wakes "To Try;"

Though feeble, yet to crush the Still

  Depends on such as you and I!

This book is so small that this poem took three of the tiny pages, and beneath the poem, in the tiniest of footnote print, appears this helpful note:

Every public house and gin-shop rings with the story of the Queen's visit to the Lochnager Distillery, but no scribe has yet published all the facts of this visit.  Each of the royal family was offered a glass of spirits. When Prince Albert was about to take a second mouthfull, the Queen, taking hold of his arm, asked 'Do you know what you're drinking, Albert?' On which he laid down the 'accursed thing.' When the Prince of Wales tasted the whiskey, he instantly sputtered it out of his mouth as if he had drank poison, especially inquiring 'What's that, mama?' -- while no persuasion could induce the Princess Royal to taste the liquid fire. The Queen put the glass to her lips. But after all, the friend of morality and virtue will ever look upon this visit as an error in judgement committed by the Queen." --British Banner, 1848. 

AI also discovered The American Literary Blog which includes Tappan among it's treasures. 

I forgot to note the reason I enshrined this little jewel in a blog post. It seems timely and appropriate when a contemporary Prince of Wales has been stripped of his status. 

Prince Andrew stripped of titles

• Who: In a move made official on November 3, 2025, King Charles III used his Royal Prerogative to strip his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal titles and the style "His Royal Highness".
• Reason: The decision followed years of controversy surrounding Andrew's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and recent claims in a posthumously published memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexual abuse. Andrew has consistently denied all accusations.
• New name: Andrew is now officially known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
• Residence: He was also forced to vacate his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge, and has been moved to a property on the Sandringham Estate.