Eugene Field's early life was shaped by the vibrant city of St. Louis, Missouri, where he was born, and his childhood home has since been transformed into The Eugene Field House and St. Louis Toy Museum, a popular tourist destination. Tragedy struck when his mother passed away in 1856, leading to his relocation to the charming town of Amherst, Massachusetts, where he was taken under the wing of his cousin, Mary Field French.
The academic trajectory of Field was marked by a series of stops and starts, beginning with an initial eight-month stint at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, where he ultimately decided to drop out.
He then transferred to Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, but his stay was unfortunately brief, lasting only a single year before he left once again.
Subsequent to this, Field found himself at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, where his brother Roswell was also enrolled, providing a sense of familiarity and support.
Despite his best efforts to excel in acting and studying law, Field faced significant challenges, and he also made the most of his time on campus by contributing to the student newspaper.
In a bold and unconventional move, he decided to embark on a journey through Europe, hoping to broaden his horizons and gain new experiences.
However, after six months of traveling, Field returned to the United States with little to his name, marking the end of his European adventure.
