David Young: The Farmers’ Almanac Founding Editor
Managing editor Sandi Duncan imagines traveling back in time to meet our founding editor, David Young. Here's what she'd ask him.
Quick Reference: David Young, the Farmers’ Almanac Founding Editor
- Role: founding editor of the Farmers’ Almanac, whose first edition he published in 1818.
- Born: January 27, 1781, in Pine Brook, Morris County, New Jersey.
- Died: February 13, 1852.
- Known as: a poet, teacher, and astronomer, well respected in astronomy.
- The mystery: no photograph or likeness of him is known to exist, and he signed his name “Philom.”
Managing editor Sandi Duncan has often thought about what it would be like to travel back in time, to relive younger years with the wisdom she has now, to see the turn of the 20th century in New York City, or to head west in the late 1800s and find out whether it was really like Little House on the Prairie. Anyone who has read the books or watched the movies knows the one rule that comes through loud and clear, the same rule at the heart of Back to the Future: you cannot change anything once you go back. After a historical society meeting in the hometown of David Young, the founding editor of the Farmers’ Almanac, one destination moved to the top of her list. She would set the dial for 1818 and meet the man who started it all.
Who Was David Young?
There is a good deal of mystery around our founding editor. We know David Young was born on January 27, 1781, in Pine Brook, Morris County, New Jersey, and that he died on February 13, 1852. We know he was a poet, a teacher, and an astronomer, and that he was known to be somewhat eccentric, even a little aloof.
No photograph or likeness of David Young is known to exist, so he lives on in description rather than in a portrait. He was pictured in many minds as a “man tall and spare who carried himself with a natural dignity.” One woman said he reminded her of the Duke of Wellington. Others said he resembled actor Basil Rathbone, who played Sherlock Holmes in the movies in 1939 and through the ’40s.
By the accounts that survive, his manner was always deferential and kindly, even on the days he outwardly appeared absent-minded.
A Poet, Teacher, and Astronomer
Young was well respected in astronomy. He was said to have been hired by the French to determine whether there was an eclipse on the day Jesus was crucified, and he proved that there was no eclipse that day. He did not have much money. Besides the Farmers’ Almanac, he authored two books.
He was also known to be very kind to his cows and farm animals, and he loved gardening, the same steady rhythm the Almanac still keeps with its Gardening by the Moon calendar. We know his wife’s name was Mary, and that he loved numbers and the sky, the same sky the Almanac still tracks in its full Moon dates and times.
Why We Would Travel Back to 1818
If time travel were possible, the first question for our founder would be about that very first edition of the Farmers’ Almanac he published. What were his goals for it? Would he have believed, or even dared to dream, that his Almanac would still be published today, so many years later?
There is more to ask. Why did he choose the title “Philom.” after his surname, and sometimes as a middle name? And how did a man of his day come to know about sunspots and the weather, the kind of long-range thinking the Almanac still puts to work in its long-range weather forecast? That is the trip worth taking. Back to 1818, to sit with David Young and ask.
David Young: Frequently Asked Questions
Who was David Young?
David Young was the founding editor of the Farmers’ Almanac, who published its first edition in 1818. He was born on January 27, 1781, in Pine Brook, Morris County, New Jersey, and died on February 13, 1852. He was a poet, a teacher, and an astronomer.
When did David Young start the Farmers’ Almanac?
He published the very first edition of the Farmers’ Almanac in 1818. The Almanac is still published today, so many years later.
Is there a photograph of David Young?
No photograph or likeness of David Young is known to exist. He was described as a “man tall and spare who carried himself with a natural dignity.” One woman said he reminded her of the Duke of Wellington, while others said he resembled actor Basil Rathbone, who played Sherlock Holmes on screen in 1939 and through the ’40s.
What did David Young do besides the Almanac?
He was well respected in astronomy and authored two books besides the Farmers’ Almanac. He was said to have been hired by the French to determine whether there was an eclipse on the day Jesus was crucified, and he found there was no eclipse that day. He loved gardening and was known to be very kind to his cows and farm animals.
What does “Philom.” after David Young’s name mean?
Young signed his name with the title “Philom.” after his surname, and sometimes used it as a middle name. Why he chose it is one of the questions our managing editor would most like to ask him if she could travel back to 1818.
Where was David Young from?
He was born in Pine Brook, Morris County, New Jersey. A historical society meeting in his hometown is what sparked managing editor Sandi Duncan’s wish to travel back to 1818 and meet him. We also know his wife’s name was Mary, and that he loved numbers and the sky.
This article was published by the Staff at FarmersAlmanac.com. Any questions? Contact us at questions@farmersalmananac.com.
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
I’d wager that the “Philom” after his name was short for Philomath: A lover of learning; a scholar.
Very much enjoyed reading about David Young, Sandi. All this time, it never occurred to me to wonder about who founded Farmers’ Almanac – especially appreciated the fact that he loved numbers and astronomy — and that he was reputed to be kind to his animals! Thank for this info.