Personal Life
Colburn was the nephew of his namesake, Zerah Colburn, a noted arithmetical prodigy.
In 1853 Colburn married Adelaide Felecita Driggs, 12 years his senior. They had a daughter, Sarah Pearl. Becoming estranged on his move to England, Colburn bigamously married Elizabeth Suzanna Browning in 1864 which led to his sacking from The Engineer.
Colburn had a career of breakneck speed; he was a restless man, quick of brain and quick of temper, who fell into jobs and fell in with people, but then throughout his life, fell out with them too.
Ultimately overwork, an addiction to laudanum and alcohol, as well as poor financial management took their toll. He became increasingly depressed and reckless, leading to his return to the U.S. - where he found himself disowned by his family - and eventual suicide at age 38. He was found near death by two boys taking their dog for a walk in Tudor's Pear Orchard, Belmont, Massachusetts, with a derringer in his hand.
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