Dr. Anthony Lafayette Manning (1831-1878) was a larger than life resident of East New Market and Baltimore, Maryland in the 19th century. This website highlights his poetry, prose, personal history and eccentricities along with the mystery of his missing book of poetry and prose. Thirteen of his poems have been discovered as of 2026. Each has been set to music with the poems serving as the lyrics.
Dr. A.L. Manning's Poetry & Prose
Chronological Order
1847 - Youthful Bloom
Anthony L. Manning in a letter to his father, Anthony Manning, December 1847
1851 - A Friend to All - Elizabeth
Wife of Dr. William V.M. Edmondson, who was a mentor to Dr. Manning and would later marry Dr. Manning’s sister Eugenia
1860 - Thou Hast Been My Ruin
Small note folded behind a photo of Manning’s ex-wife Sallie E. Mackey
1861 - A Tribute on the Memory of J.F.H. Vincent
A Tribute upon the death of A.L Manning's Brother-in law
1862 - How Still is thy Breath
Fannie Vincent, 9 year old daughter of John F.H. Vincent and A.L. Manning's half-sister Lavinia Vincent.
1864 - Chambersburg by Moonlight
On July 30, 1864, Confederate cavalry under Brig. Gen. John McCausland burned Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in retaliation for Union destruction in Virginia, making it the only Northern town burned during the Civil War.
1865 - Where Now My Sister May Be Found
On the Death of My much loved half Sister Mrs. Emily Levinia Vincent
1865 - Hicks Sleeps, But He Is Not Dead
Baltimore Paper - A.L. Manning Tribute to his intimate friend, Governor Thomas Holliday Hicks.
1868 - Spotless Young Soul
Baltimore Sun - A.L. Manning obituary poem for his friend's 22 month old son, Harry Albert Rowe.
1868 - Miss Rosa Trembled Not
Baltimore Sun – A.L. Manning obituary poem for Miss Rosa Sumwalt.
1870 - The Death of Hon. Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte of Baltimore
Thoughts Suggested by the Death of the Hon. Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte of Baltimore City
1876 - When We Shall Reach That Brighter Shore
Waynesboro Record – A.L. Manning memorial to his friend, Joseph Rowe.
1878 - Misunderstood By Souls of Lesser Fire
A.L. Manning includes his own epitaph in his Last Will and Testament