In May of 1860, a young man arrived in the Territory of Colorado, then known as the PikeÕs Peak Region. He would go on to become an influential leader in the Denver community, a successful businessman, Grand Master of Colorado Freemasons with an extensive Masonic career, editor of one of the most popular Masonic magazines in its time, the Square & Compass, and would be remembered for his inspiring and comical poetry. He was known as a gentleman of jest and humor, being the master of puns. He was called Òthe undaunted and the inspired PikeÕs Peak PunsterÓ and Òthe Pioneer Poet of Colorado.Ó
This critical edition of the poetry of Lawrence N. Greenleaf includes for the first time in over a century and a half the entirety of his satirical and solemn collection of poems, King Sham and Other Atrocities in Verse, as well as all known poems Greenleaf published throughout his years. This volume contains a thorough biography on the life and career of Greenleaf, the complete collection of his poetry in four parts, and annotations and commentary on his poems.