 In 1807 he graduated from Harvard College, and began the practice of law in Boston, but devoted his attention chiefly to literature.From 1818–1819 he was the second editor of the "North American Review" after William Tudor (1779-1830), and remained a regular contributor through much of his life.From 1819–1850 he taught at Harvard as the Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory, the position held by John Quincy Adams from 1806–1809.