BABCOCK, James F., journalist, born in Connecticut in 1809; died in New Haven, Connecticut, 18 June 1874. He began newspaper work at an early age, and in 1830 became editor of the New Haven "Palladium," which soon began to issue a daily edition and which he conducted for thirty-one years. He controlled the nominations of the Whig party for many years, and, though hostile to the free-soil party at its inception, he finally gave it a hearty welcome in 1854. He retained his prestige with the republican party for some years, took an active part in furthering the national cause during the war, and, shortly after his resignation as editor of the "Palladium," was appointed, by President Lincoln, collector of the port of New Haven. He retained that office under President Johnson, whose policy he supported ; and, after the rupture between the president and the republicans, Mr. Babcock acted with the Democratic Party, and, after an angry and excited contest, was nominated by them for congress, but was defeated by the republican nominee. He was elected by the democrats to the state legislature in 1873. The legislature of 1874 elected him judge of the police court of New Haven.