Son of Andrew Jackson Butler and Joanna Harris. George's father, Andrew, was the elder brother of Civil War general Benjamin Butler, one of the most controversial figures of the Civil War. Andrew himself was a colonel in the United States Army who accompanied General Butler to New Orleans as an unofficial aide. He also worked as a shipping agent and procurement officer, and during the war, as a middleman for cotton, cattle, and other supplies. He died of fever on 11 Feb 1864 in the St. Denis Hotel, New York City, at "age 49, less two days", according to the New York Herald report on February 13, 1864.
General Butler did everything within his power to help his nephew George succeed in life, recommending him for official positions and bailing him out of difficulties caused by drinking, but his efforts eventually failed. George died in poverty of alcoholism. However, he had kept his wit and writing ability to the end, often writing entertaining and incisive letters to Washington newspapers which were published and widely read.
He was married twice, first to actress Rose Eytinge, with whom he had two children: a daughter, Florence (b. 1875), who married Dr. Walsh, and a son, Benjamin Franklin Butler (Mar 1871-4 Aug 1904), a brilliant journalist and poet. While at school, "Frank" was the roommate of a young John Barrymore, and the two published a book together of poetry by Frank with illustrations by John. Frank married actress Alice Johnson, a native of Washington, D.C., but had a severe mental breakdown four months after his wedding and committed suicide soon after being confined in the Rivercrest Sanatorium, Astoria. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Johnson family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, DC. Alice died ten years later and was buried beside him.
After his divorce from Rose, George Butler was married again briefly, but his second wife left him due to his addictions.
From the Washington Evening Star, May 12, 1886:
Death of George H. Butler
HIS EVENTFUL CAREER ENDED IN THIS CITY LAST NIGHT
Mr. George H. Butler died in a little third-story room of the old Kirby house, in this city last night. His career has been varied. He was a graduate of West Point; left the army to become a journalist; was a brilliant writer and at one time quite famous. For ten years he was at the height of popularity and wrote letters for many papers. His fall came from his intemperate habits. He married Rose Eytinge, the actress.
He was appointed consul general at Alexandria, Egypt, by President Grant, through the influence of his uncle, Gen. Benjamin Franklin Butler. While he was in Egypt, his wife got a divorce from him. He led a wild life in the east, wrote some brilliant letters to American papers, and wound up by beating a donkey-tender, slapping the face of an English major who interfered, fighting a duel with and wounding the major, and leaving Alexandria by night for Spain. His successor was appointed to Alexandria, and he remained some time in Spain, where he is said to have gained great popularity in court circles.
From 1875 until his death, he lived most of the time in Washington, writing numerous letters for the press over his initials, "G.H.B.", at times when he was not in some hospital under treatment for his excesses. Had it not been for his unfortunate propensity for drink he would, no doubt, have attained a high position. He was a man of ready wit and in spite of his faults had many warm friends.
The remains will be taken from the city on the 10 o'clock train tonight for Lowell, Mass., where they will be buried. The funeral will take place from Gen. Butler's house at Lowell.
General Butler did everything within his power to help his nephew George succeed in life, recommending him for official positions and bailing him out of difficulties caused by drinking, but his efforts eventually failed. George died in poverty of alcoholism. However, he had kept his wit and writing ability to the end, often writing entertaining and incisive letters to Washington newspapers which were published and widely read.
He was married twice, first to actress Rose Eytinge, with whom he had two children: a daughter, Florence (b. 1875), who married Dr. Walsh, and a son, Benjamin Franklin Butler (Mar 1871-4 Aug 1904), a brilliant journalist and poet. While at school, "Frank" was the roommate of a young John Barrymore, and the two published a book together of poetry by Frank with illustrations by John. Frank married actress Alice Johnson, a native of Washington, D.C., but had a severe mental breakdown four months after his wedding and committed suicide soon after being confined in the Rivercrest Sanatorium, Astoria. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Johnson family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, DC. Alice died ten years later and was buried beside him.
After his divorce from Rose, George Butler was married again briefly, but his second wife left him due to his addictions.
From the Washington Evening Star, May 12, 1886:
Death of George H. Butler
HIS EVENTFUL CAREER ENDED IN THIS CITY LAST NIGHT
Mr. George H. Butler died in a little third-story room of the old Kirby house, in this city last night. His career has been varied. He was a graduate of West Point; left the army to become a journalist; was a brilliant writer and at one time quite famous. For ten years he was at the height of popularity and wrote letters for many papers. His fall came from his intemperate habits. He married Rose Eytinge, the actress.
He was appointed consul general at Alexandria, Egypt, by President Grant, through the influence of his uncle, Gen. Benjamin Franklin Butler. While he was in Egypt, his wife got a divorce from him. He led a wild life in the east, wrote some brilliant letters to American papers, and wound up by beating a donkey-tender, slapping the face of an English major who interfered, fighting a duel with and wounding the major, and leaving Alexandria by night for Spain. His successor was appointed to Alexandria, and he remained some time in Spain, where he is said to have gained great popularity in court circles.
From 1875 until his death, he lived most of the time in Washington, writing numerous letters for the press over his initials, "G.H.B.", at times when he was not in some hospital under treatment for his excesses. Had it not been for his unfortunate propensity for drink he would, no doubt, have attained a high position. He was a man of ready wit and in spite of his faults had many warm friends.
The remains will be taken from the city on the 10 o'clock train tonight for Lowell, Mass., where they will be buried. The funeral will take place from Gen. Butler's house at Lowell.
Son of Andrew Jackson Butler and Joanna Harris. George's father, Andrew, was the elder brother of Civil War general Benjamin Butler, one of the most controversial figures of the Civil War. Andrew himself was a colonel in the United States Army who accompanied General Butler to New Orleans as an unofficial aide. He also worked as a shipping agent and procurement officer, and during the war, as a middleman for cotton, cattle, and other supplies. He died of fever on 11 Feb 1864 in the St. Denis Hotel, New York City, at "age 49, less two days", according to the New York Herald report on February 13, 1864.
General Butler did everything within his power to help his nephew George succeed in life, recommending him for official positions and bailing him out of difficulties caused by drinking, but his efforts eventually failed. George died in poverty of alcoholism. However, he had kept his wit and writing ability to the end, often writing entertaining and incisive letters to Washington newspapers which were published and widely read.
He was married twice, first to actress Rose Eytinge, with whom he had two children: a daughter, Florence (b. 1875), who married Dr. Walsh, and a son, Benjamin Franklin Butler (Mar 1871-4 Aug 1904), a brilliant journalist and poet. While at school, "Frank" was the roommate of a young John Barrymore, and the two published a book together of poetry by Frank with illustrations by John. Frank married actress Alice Johnson, a native of Washington, D.C., but had a severe mental breakdown four months after his wedding and committed suicide soon after being confined in the Rivercrest Sanatorium, Astoria. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Johnson family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, DC. Alice died ten years later and was buried beside him.
After his divorce from Rose, George Butler was married again briefly, but his second wife left him due to his addictions.
From the Washington Evening Star, May 12, 1886:
Death of George H. Butler
HIS EVENTFUL CAREER ENDED IN THIS CITY LAST NIGHT
Mr. George H. Butler died in a little third-story room of the old Kirby house, in this city last night. His career has been varied. He was a graduate of West Point; left the army to become a journalist; was a brilliant writer and at one time quite famous. For ten years he was at the height of popularity and wrote letters for many papers. His fall came from his intemperate habits. He married Rose Eytinge, the actress.
He was appointed consul general at Alexandria, Egypt, by President Grant, through the influence of his uncle, Gen. Benjamin Franklin Butler. While he was in Egypt, his wife got a divorce from him. He led a wild life in the east, wrote some brilliant letters to American papers, and wound up by beating a donkey-tender, slapping the face of an English major who interfered, fighting a duel with and wounding the major, and leaving Alexandria by night for Spain. His successor was appointed to Alexandria, and he remained some time in Spain, where he is said to have gained great popularity in court circles.
From 1875 until his death, he lived most of the time in Washington, writing numerous letters for the press over his initials, "G.H.B.", at times when he was not in some hospital under treatment for his excesses. Had it not been for his unfortunate propensity for drink he would, no doubt, have attained a high position. He was a man of ready wit and in spite of his faults had many warm friends.
The remains will be taken from the city on the 10 o'clock train tonight for Lowell, Mass., where they will be buried. The funeral will take place from Gen. Butler's house at Lowell.
General Butler did everything within his power to help his nephew George succeed in life, recommending him for official positions and bailing him out of difficulties caused by drinking, but his efforts eventually failed. George died in poverty of alcoholism. However, he had kept his wit and writing ability to the end, often writing entertaining and incisive letters to Washington newspapers which were published and widely read.
He was married twice, first to actress Rose Eytinge, with whom he had two children: a daughter, Florence (b. 1875), who married Dr. Walsh, and a son, Benjamin Franklin Butler (Mar 1871-4 Aug 1904), a brilliant journalist and poet. While at school, "Frank" was the roommate of a young John Barrymore, and the two published a book together of poetry by Frank with illustrations by John. Frank married actress Alice Johnson, a native of Washington, D.C., but had a severe mental breakdown four months after his wedding and committed suicide soon after being confined in the Rivercrest Sanatorium, Astoria. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Johnson family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, DC. Alice died ten years later and was buried beside him.
After his divorce from Rose, George Butler was married again briefly, but his second wife left him due to his addictions.
From the Washington Evening Star, May 12, 1886:
Death of George H. Butler
HIS EVENTFUL CAREER ENDED IN THIS CITY LAST NIGHT
Mr. George H. Butler died in a little third-story room of the old Kirby house, in this city last night. His career has been varied. He was a graduate of West Point; left the army to become a journalist; was a brilliant writer and at one time quite famous. For ten years he was at the height of popularity and wrote letters for many papers. His fall came from his intemperate habits. He married Rose Eytinge, the actress.
He was appointed consul general at Alexandria, Egypt, by President Grant, through the influence of his uncle, Gen. Benjamin Franklin Butler. While he was in Egypt, his wife got a divorce from him. He led a wild life in the east, wrote some brilliant letters to American papers, and wound up by beating a donkey-tender, slapping the face of an English major who interfered, fighting a duel with and wounding the major, and leaving Alexandria by night for Spain. His successor was appointed to Alexandria, and he remained some time in Spain, where he is said to have gained great popularity in court circles.
From 1875 until his death, he lived most of the time in Washington, writing numerous letters for the press over his initials, "G.H.B.", at times when he was not in some hospital under treatment for his excesses. Had it not been for his unfortunate propensity for drink he would, no doubt, have attained a high position. He was a man of ready wit and in spite of his faults had many warm friends.
The remains will be taken from the city on the 10 o'clock train tonight for Lowell, Mass., where they will be buried. The funeral will take place from Gen. Butler's house at Lowell.
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