D. a Goodrich

Reverend Charles Augustus Goodrich (1790 – June 4, 1862) was an American author and a Congregational minister. He is widely recognized for popularizing the well-known organizational principle, "a place for everything and everything in its place." Goodrich was educated at Yale University, graduating in 1812, and pursued theological studies, leading to his ordination in 1816. He served as a pastor in various locations, including Worcester, Massachusetts, Berlin, Connecticut, and Hartford. Beyond his clerical duties, Goodrich was also involved in secular public service, having been a member of the Connecticut Senate. He collaborated with his brother, Samuel Griswold Goodrich, on books aimed at young readers.

Goodrich authored numerous books spanning various subjects. His published works include titles on religion, history, geography, and biography. Among his notable publications are "View of Religions" (1829), "Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence" (1829), and "History of the United States of America" (1822). He also produced "Family Tourist" (1848) and several works published in 1855, such as "Family Sabbath-Day Miscellany," "Geography of the Chief Places mentioned in the Bible," "Greek Grammar," "Child's History of the United States," and "Bible History of Prayer." His literary contributions also extended to titles like "Great Events of American History," "Outlines of Geography," and "Universal Traveller." The phrase for which Goodrich is most remembered first appeared in print in his article titled "Neatness" in The Ohio Repository in December 1827. While he popularized the saying, variations of the concept appeared in later texts, indicating its widespread adoption and adaptation.

Charles Augustus Goodrich's life was dedicated to both spiritual guidance and authorship. After graduating from Yale in 1812, he completed his theological studies and was ordained in 1816. His pastoral career began at the 1st Congregational Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, and later included significant tenures in Berlin, Connecticut, and Hartford. Goodrich's intellectual contributions extended beyond his ministry; he was also elected to the Connecticut Senate, demonstrating a commitment to public service. In literature, he partnered with his brother, Samuel Griswold Goodrich, to create educational books for children, contributing to the literary landscape of the time. His own prolific writing covered a range of subjects, from religious texts and historical accounts to geographical and biographical works, reflecting a broad intellectual curiosity and a desire to educate diverse audiences.

Goodrich is primarily remembered for his role in bringing the adage "a place for everything and everything in its place" into common usage. The earliest documented appearance of this phrase in print is attributed to Goodrich, who published it in an article titled "Neatness" in The Ohio Repository in December 1827. This simple yet profound statement on order and organization resonated widely and was subsequently adopted and adapted by others. Variations of the motto appeared in different publications throughout the 19th century, including in "Hagerstown Mail" in 1841 and Frederick Marryat's "Masterman Ready" in 1842, and even in a book titled "A Place for Everything and Everything In Its Place" by D. Appleton & Co. in 1857, underscoring the enduring impact of Goodrich's popularization of this organizational principle.