George Henry Boker

George Henry Boker (1823–1890) was an American poet, playwright, and diplomat closely associated with Philadelphia’s literary scene. Born in Philadelphia, he became known for verse and for stage works written in the mid-19th century. During the Civil War era he helped organize support for Union soldiers through the U.S. Sanitary Commission. Boker later entered public service and served as a U.S. diplomat abroad, including appointments as minister to the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and to Russia. He remained a prominent cultural figure in Philadelphia, where he lived and worked for much of his life, and he is remembered for linking literary activity with national service.