Alexander Anderson, the first wood engraver in America, born in New York, April 21, 1775, died in Jersey City, N. J., Jan. 17, 1870. He was the son of a Scotch printer, who just before the outbreak of the revolution published in New York a republican newspaper, "The Constitutional Gazette," so strongly opposing British rule that when Howe's army entered the city he was obliged to take refuge in Connecticut. At the age of 12 Anderson made his first attempt at engraving on small copper and type-metal plates, having obtained his only instruction by watching jewellers and other workmen. Among his early engravings were some copies of anatomical figures, and his interest in subjects of this kind induced him to begin the study of medicine. He took his | doctor's degree at Columbia college in 1790, i writing an able thesis on " Chronic Mania," but soon began to devote himself to art studies, finding his first regular employment in the illus-tration of a little book, " The Looking-Glass for the Mind." Hearing of the method of Bewick, the English engraver, he began to use boxwood blocks, though for some years employing copper in the greater part of his work. He invented his own tools for wood engraving, since none existed in America at the time he began the experiment.

After 1812 he engraved only upon wood, and attained great skill. He illustrated many standard works; among the earliest was the first edition of Web-ster's spelling-book. He was for many years employed in illustrating the American tract society's publications, retiring in 1805, at the age of 90, till which time he had retained his skill and mental powers almost unimpaired.