Neill, Harry (?-1861) Journalist. Harry Neill was born to a Presbyterian minister in Philadelphia (Gunn, vol. 18, 54).  Henry Clapp&rsquo;s <cite>New York Times</cite> obituary describes Neill as “a gifted Philadelphian” (&quot;Obituary&quot; 7).  Neill was a journalist whose work was published in <cite>Vanity Fair</cite> and other contemporary periodicals.  He also wrote under the alias, Inigo (T. Miller 37).  Before moving to New York in his early 20s, Neill's work appeared in Philadelphia's <i>Bulletin</i> and the <i>Evening Journal.</i>

In New York, Junius Browne claims that Neill was part of the “fraternity” that met at Pfaff&rsquo;s restaurant, which “had late suppers, and were brilliant with talk over beer and pipes for several years” (156-57).  Here he took a position at <i>The Tribune,</i> a position which he held until his premature death (Gunn, vol. 18, 54).  William Winter, who had previously replaced Neill at the <cite>Albion</cite>, reminisces that Neill and Frank Wood were “young journalists of fine ability,” and “were frequently present” at Pfaff&rsquo;s (T. Miller 79).  Winter adds that “both of them died in youth, with their promise unfulfilled,” as Neill died at the age of 23 from what is presumed to be typhoid fever (<cite>Old Friends</cite> 65; Gunn, vol. 18, 54).  

References & Biographical Resources

Browne, Junius Henri. The Great Metropolis; A Mirror of New York. Hartford: American Publishing, 1869. 700 p. 
Browne spells his name Harry Neal here and notes that at the time of his writing, Neal is deceased.Neal was a contributor to Vanity Fair and other contemporary publications.
He was part of the "fraternity" that met at Pfaff's resturant, that "had late suppers, and were brilliant with talk over beer and pipes for several years."Browne claims "Those were merry and famous nights, and many bright conceits and witticisms were discharged over the festive board" (156-7). 
 [pages:156-157]
Gunn, Thomas Butler. Diaries, Vol. 14. Missouri History Museum, 1860. 
Gunn writes about passing Fanny Fern and Neal downtown, "Downtown. Passed Fanny Fern with Grace, the former grinning, on the arm of Neal of the "Tribune," he with a Scotch cap, curly hair and as if proud of his position.
 [pages:93]
Gunn, Thomas Butler. Diaries, Vol. 16. Missouri History Museum, 1861. 
Gunn says House and Neal stopped on their way to Paris, "Bob gave him a week's employment on the American Agency, paying him fifteen shillings. House and Neal appeared there on their way to Paris, recognizing Cahill; he met Abrahams also, who has got some clerkship and talks of remaining in England. (45)
Neal is mentioned when Gunn discusses Frank Welden's funeral, "Frank Howland has returned from Paris; as, a fortnight or three weeks ago, did Neal and House, both of them qualified to claim the dedication of Rabelais' book, having "gathered of the ripest." (196)
 [pages:45, 196]
Gunn, Thomas Butler. Diaries, Vol. 18. Missouri History Museum, 1861. 
Gunn attaches a newspaper clipping from the N.Y. Tribune of Henry Neill's death (54).
 [pages:54]
Miller, Tice L. Bohemians and Critics: American Theatre Criticism in the Nineteenth Century. Metuchen, NJ: The Scarecrow Press, 1981. 
Died in November(?) 1861.Also known by the alias, Inigo (37).He was replaced at the Albion by his friend, William Winter (79).
 [pages:37, 79]
"Obituary: Henry Clapp." The New-York Times. 11 Apr. 1875: 7. 
Henry Neill is described as a "gifted Philadelphian" who visit Pfaff's.According to Clapp's "Obituary," he died "years ago."
 [pages:7]
Rawson, A. L. "A Bygone Bohemia." Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly. 01 Jan. 1896: 96-107. 
Rawson spells his name "'Harry' Neill" (103).
 [pages:101, 103]
Seitz, Don Carlos. Artemus Ward (Charles Farrar Browne): A Biography and Bibliography. NY: Harper & Brothers, 1919. 
[pages:97, 173]
Sentilles, Renee M. Performing Menken: Adah Isaacs Menken and the Birth of American Celebrity. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2003. 
A regular in the bohemian circle at Pfaff's.
 [pages:142]
Winter, William. Old Friends; Being Literary Recollections of Other Days. New York: Moffat, Yard and Company, 1909. 
Winter spells his name here as Henry Neill.Henry Neill and Frank Wood were "young journalists of fine ability," and "were frequently present" at Pfaff's.Winter continues, "both of them died in youth, with their promise unfulfilled" (65).
 [pages:65]