Henry Sylvester Cornwell

Henry Sylvester Cornwell (1831-June 15, 1886) was an American physician and poet.

Cornwell was a native of New London, Connecticut. He was one of a family of nine children, in humble circumstances, and for many years before his professional education he was a workman in a manufactory in New London. He graduated from Yale Medical School in 1863. Returning to New London after graduation, he soon acquired a lucrative practice, but failing health (from consumption) prevented him from making the most of his powers. He early became known as a poet and his occasional contributions to the local papers had more than a merely local reputation. He published one volume of his pieces, The Land of Dreams, and Other Poems (New London, 1878, 12mo.)

Cornwell was a fan of Edgar Allan Poe and was the owner of a well-preserved Poe daguerreotype.

Cornwell died in New London, June 15, 1886, aged 51 years. The immediate cause of his death was an ulcer in the stomach.