William Oland Bourne

William Oland Bourne (1819–1901) was an American clergyman, publisher, journalist, editor, author, poet, and social reformer.

His father George Bourne immigrated from Westbury, Wiltshire, England and was a noted Presbyterian minister, editor, and considered one of the pioneer of abolitionism in the United States.

[1] Bourne published and edited The Soldier's Friend (also known as Soldier's Friend and Grand Army of the Republic) a newsletter for American Civil War veterans founded in 1864, which included left handed penmanship contests for veterans who had lost their right arms.

[2] The book The Left–Armed Corps: Writings by Amputee Civil War Veterans (2022) edited by Allison M. Johnson contains references to Bourne.

[11] He is included in the Bourne family papers at Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository.