Harold Whetstone Johnston (March 18, 1859 in Rushville, Illinois – June 17, 1912) was a classical historian and Professor of Latin at Indiana University, best known for writing The Private Life of the Romans. Personal life Johnston was the son of DeWitt Clinton Johnston and Margretta Hay (Bower). In 1882, he married Eugenia Hinrichsen. Death Johnston died of cyanide poisoning on June 17, 1912 while on a train from Monon, Indiana to Indianapolis. The coroner determined that he had ingested potassium cyanide intentionally, and his friends indicated he had been upset due to financial difficulties. Works 1897 – A collection of examples illustrating the metrical licenses of vergil 1903 – The Private Life of the Romans, Publisher: Beaufort Books (1972 reissue) 1910 – Selected Orations and Letters of Cicero Scott, Foresman and Co. References External links 1859 births 1912 deaths American classical scholars American Latinists Suicides by cyanide poisoning 1912 suicides Suicides in Indiana