Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Thorburn, Grant

THORBURN, GRANT, pseudonym Lawrie Todd, an American author; born in Dalkeith, Scotland, Feb. 18, 1773; emigrated to America in 1794. As the hero of Galt's novel, “Lawrie Todd,” he was a well-known figure in New York, where he followed the business of seedsman. He was noted for his charity. His publications in book form include: “Forty Years' Residence in America” (1834); “Men and Manners in Great Britain” (1834); “Fifty Years' Reminiscences of New York” (1845); “Hints to Merchants,” etc. (1847); “Notes on Virginia” (1848); “Life and Writings of Grant Thorburn” (1852-1853). He died in New Haven, Conn., Jan. 21, 1863.