had collected. His drawings were also used for the engravings illustrating his father's revision of the Synopsis of the Naiades in 1838. Lea developed an interest in poetry and at his mother's suggestion, translated Greek poets and composed original verse. Later, he often wrote satirical parodies of popular songs about politics. Career Publisher In 1843, Lea joined his father's publishing business as a clerk and became a junior partner in 1851. In 1847, after working in the family publishing firm for four years, Lea suffered a nervous breakdown and abandoned his intellectual and scientific work for eleven years. Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, one of the country's most prominent doctors in the field of nervous disorders, treated Lea and became a family friend. During his convalescence, Lea began reading French memoirs of the medieval period. They kindled his interest in medieval history and changed his career course from scientist to historian. Lea focused the firm on medical and scientific publications. The company operated under several names including Lea Brothers & Co., Lea & Febinger and Blanchard & Lea in 1865. He continued to work with the firm until 1880 when his sons took over the business. Civic activism and philanthropy In 1844, Lea stood guard with a musket for two days and two nights in front of a catholic church to prevent property damage during the Philadelphia nativist riots. He was a member of the Union League of Philadelphia at its inception in 1862 and served on the Board of Directors, the Military Committee and the Committee of Publications. He wrote many of the pamphlets published by the organization. In 1863 Lea was appointed one of the Bounty Commissioners under the Enrollment Act and served until 1865, working closely with Provost Marshal General James B. Fry accounting for the city's quotas of enlisted men. He was also involved with recruiting African American regiments to fight in the Union army. He served as president of the Philadelphia branch of the American Social Science Association and as a member of the Industrial League. In 1871, he organized the Citizens' Municipal Reform Association of Philadelphia which focused on fighting corruption in city government. He served on the board of directors for the Philadelphia Library. Outspoken about public works and health projects in Philadelphia, Lea founded the Lea Laboratory of Hygiene at the University of Pennsylvania. He strongly opposed the building of City Hall at