Born in Charleston in 1828, Timrod was quick to feel the poetic instinct and came by it naturally. His father was at the center of a lively literary circle that often gathered at his book bindery. It included such local luminaries as George S. Bryan, William Gilmore Simms, James Louis Petigru and Samuel Gilmore.

Timrod penned his first poem at age 15. As he matured, his poetic creations largely were devoted to themes of nature and romantic love. Later, he was to distinguish himself as the greatest poet of the War Between The States.

Eking out a meager living over the years in various vocations as teacher, tutor, newspaper and periodical editor, and war correspondent, he was constantly beset by poor health and a frail constitution. Cisco recounts how Timrod's heart was never present in any pursuit except his poetry. Timrod was described by many of his contemporaries as a bright and animated conversationalist and somewhat of a dreamer, prone to be absent-minded and careless. In the rare times when he had money, often he would spend it profligately and, more often than not, on whiskey, lapses for which he would express deep remorse to his hard-pressed family.

To further complicate Timrod's life, he contracted tuberculosis at age 30, a steadily debilitating disease that would claim his life nine years later as he struggled in grinding poverty in the aftermath of the war. Included in this interesting biography are many exemplary stanzas of Timrod's poems and commentary on the ongoing events that gave rise to them.

Cisco has penned a welcome and thoughtfully narrated biography of this uniquely southern voice.