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Mr. Barnes is a son of William Barnes, Sr., and Emily Weed, his wife, and was born in Albany, June 28, 1853. On graduating from Harvard University in 1876 he took an editorial position on the Albany Evening Journal, and soon afterward was elected president of the Young Mens Association of that city and also of the Albany County Republican Committee. He held the latter position two terms, and took an active part in politics and in the management of the newspaper, which was founded by his grandfather as a political organ in 1830. Mr. Barnes was one of the founders of the Fort Orange Club, in which he still retains his membership. He was active in the National Guard as a member of the 10th Regiment, and held the position of first lieutenant on the staff of Gen. Amasa J. Parker In 1886 Mr. Barnes took up his residence in Boston, Mass., where he lived for five years as a member of the well known publishing firm of Houghton, Mifflin & Co., his work in the firm being in the department of literary criticism.
Mr. Barnes has made extensive journeys, including a trip around the world, and has spent two winters in India. Soon after the death of his grandfather he wrote a Memoir of Thurlow Weed, which was published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. He is the owner of the published works of William H. Seward that were originally edited by George E. Baker. Of late years Mr. Barnes has been a resident of New York city, where he is a member of the Republican County Committee and of the Harvard. Metropolitan, and other prominent social organizations. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at St. Louis in 1896.
Thurlow Weed Barnes is a lineal descendant in the seventh generation from Thomas Barnes, who came from England and distinguished himself in the Indian wars around Hartford, Conn., about 1630. On his mother's side he is descended from Nathan Weed, a Revolutionary soldier of Stamford, Conn., and the grandfather of Thurlow Weed, a soldier of the War of 1812. Mr. Weed was distinguished as the great Whig and Republican leader of New York and the life-long friend of William H. Seward. His services are well remembered as a member of the so-called political firm of Seward, Weed, and Greeley, and also in connection with the administration of President Lincoln, who sent him to France and England in 1861 to avert the recognition by those countries of the Southern Confederacy.
