judge, editor, Methodist minister, college president, and farmer. He
was a ready and brilliant speaker, and an industrious writer of
humour and pathos. His _Georgia, Scenes, Characters, and Incidents_,
first published in periodicals, and afterwards collected in book
form, were widely read. The papers are full of humour, rather broad,
but it is said by those who know, truly characteristic of the place
and period.
LOW, SAMUEL, born 1765. Author of two volumes of poetry, containing many
pieces of a humorous character.
LOWELL, JAMES RUSSELL (1819-1891), poet, essayist, and diplomat. One of
the foremost literary geniuses of America. His first volume of poems
was published in 1838, under the title of _Class Poems_. In 1841
followed _A Year’s Life_, consisting mainly of love poems, only a
few of which the author in later years considered worth
republishing. In the year 1846 the _Biglow Papers_ began appearing
in the columns of the _Boston Courier_, and it was not until 1848
that what is probably the most remarkable series of satirical poems
which ever appeared were furnished. For wit, insight into human
nature, and finish, these poems, in the peculiar dialect of the
“down-easter,” must be considered nothing short of perfect. These
poems had an instantaneous effect on America, and raised the
question of slavery and corruption in politics to the eyes of the
people in a way they had never before been presented. Mr. Lowell was
an out-and-out democrat and a fearless exponent of democracy of the
kind established by the founders of American independence. His
works, of which a complete and excellent edition is published by
Messrs. Macmillan & Co., London, are numerous, the best known being
_Class Poems_, _A Year’s Life_, _Poems_ (1844), _The Vision of Sir
Launfal_ (1848), _Conversations on some of the Old Poets_ (1945),
_Poems_ (1848), _The Biglow Papers_, _A Fable for Critics_, _Poems_
(1849), _Life of Keats, Mason and Slidell_, _Fireside Travels_, _The
President’s Policy_, _Biglow Papers_ (second series), _Under the
Willows_, _Among my Books_, _Democracy, and other Addresses_.
Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin, & Co. have published a complete edition
of his works in America.
MACCLURG, DR. JAMES (1747-1825), a writer of the dainty _vers de
société_, which has since become so popular with a school of modern
writers.
MACDOWELL, MRS. KATE (1853-1883), a writer of humorous sketches in
vernacular, and published by _Harper’s_. Pseudonym, “Sherwood
Bonner.”
M’LENNAN, WILLIAM, Canadian. His French-Canadian dialect sketches and
stories are full of humour, and the dialect is perfect. See
Lighthall’s _Songs of the Great Dominion_.
MILES O’REILLY. _See_ HALPINE.
MILLER, CINCINNATUS HINER, “Joaquin” (1841). The most American of all
America’s poets. In his youth he took to gold-mining in California,
afterwards acting as express-rider, later on drifted into
journalism, and began his literary career while judge of Grant
county, Oregon. His best-known works are _Songs of the Sierras_,
_Songs of Sunland_, _Songs of the Desert_, _Songs of the Mexican
Seas_, and _In Classic Shades_. He has not written much in a
humorous vein, but his “William Brown of Oregon,” “That Gentle Man
from Boston Town,” and “Saratoga and the Psalmist,” all humorous
verse, have been widely read.
MITCHELL, DONALD GRANT, born 1822. His delicate health compelled him to
abandon the study of law, and he has spent most of his time in
landscape gardening, writing, and travelling. His first book, _Fresh
Gleanings, or a New Sheaf from the Old Field of Continental Europe_,
was published in 1847, and in 1850 his widely-read work, _Reveries
of a Bachelor_, appeared. In the sixties appeared the “Edgewood”
series of books from his pen. Most of his humorous work appeared
under the pen-name of “Ike Marvel.”
MITCHELL, DR. SAMUEL LATHAM (1764-1831), a valuable and voluminous
writer on scientific subjects. He was a humorist in his way.
MOORE, CLEMENT CLARKE (1779-1863). He wrote the famous piece of verse
beginning—
“’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
MORRIS, GEORGE P. (1802-1864), began writing for the press when but
fifteen years of age, and during his lifetime saw many of his poems
attain international celebrity. In 1823, he, in conjunction with
Samuel Woodworth, established the _New York Mirror_, and in 1843,
with N. P. Willis, the _New Mirror_; and in 1845 himself founded the
_National Press_, afterwards the _Home Journal_. _The Little
Frenchman and his Water-Lots_, a volume of prose sketches, published
in 1839, was widely read; but his greatest hits were made by the
songs, “Woodman, spare that Tree,” “We were Boys together,” “My
Mother’s Bible,” and “Whip-poor-will.”
MORTON, THOMAS, born in England about 1575; died in America, 1646.
During his adventurous life he caused Miles Standish and his Puritan
followers a great deal of trouble, being many times imprisoned for
misdeeds. He wrote a book, of which the following is a copy of the
title-page:—“New English Canaan or New Canaan, containing an
abstract of New England, composed in three Bookes. The first Booke
setting forth the originall of the Natives, their Manners and
Customs, together with their tractable Nature and Love towards the
English. The second Booke setting forth, what people are planted
there, their prosperity, what remarkable accidents have happened
since the first planting of it, together with their Tenents and
practise of their Church. _Written by_ Thomas Morton of Clifford’s
Inne gent, _upon Tenne years knowledge and experiment of the
country_. Printed at Amsterdam by Jacob Frederick Stain in the yeare
1637.” This book is full of ridicule of all things pertaining to the
Puritans.
M QUAD. _See_ LEWIS.
MRS. PARTINGTON. _See_ SHILLABER.
MUNKETTRICK, RICHARD KENDALL (1853), a writer of prose and verse, full
of subtle and refined humour. He contributes to all the standard
publications of America.
NASH, THOMAS, born 1840, came into public notice during the Civil War by
his strong caricatures, and has ever since been considered one of
America’s best caricaturists.
NEAL, JOHN (1793-1876). “Yankee Neal,” as he was called, at the age of
thirty, set sail for England, determined that the British people
should no longer be able to say that no one reads an American book.
This pioneer of American literature began writing in London, and was
successful beyond his expectation. Among the twenty volumes from his
pen are _Brother Jonathan_, _The Down Easters_, _One Word More_, and
_Keep Cool_.
NEAL, JOSEPH CLAY (1807-1847). In 1831 he edited the _Pennsylvanian_,
and a few years later established the _Saturday Gazette_, a humorous
and satirical publication, which was widely read. His _Charcoal
Sketches_ were republished in London under the auspices of Charles
Dickens.
NEWELL, ROBERT HENRY (1836). His “Orpheus C. Kerr” papers, humorous and
satirical, met with great success during the days of the Civil War,
and still continue popular. After these papers, _The Palace
Beautiful_ and _Versatilities_ are his best-known works Some of his
verse is clever, and “The Great Fight” is to be found in most
collections of American humour.
NYE, EDGAR WILSON, born 1850. One of the most popular newspaper
humorists of America. He studied law in Wyoming territory, but the
farcical sketches which he contributed to different newspapers soon
took the public fancy, and he removed to New York, where he now
(1893) resides. He has published a number of collections of his
sketches.
ORPHEUS JUNIOR. _See_ VAUGHAN.
PAGE, THOMAS NELSON, born 1853. Brought up on a Southern plantation;
educated at Washington, and is now practising law at Richmond,
Virginia. His negro dialect stories, full of the kindly humour of
the South, have attracted much attention. His first volume, _In Ole
Virginia_, was published in 1887.
PAULDING, JAMES KIRKE (1779-1860). Making the acquaintance of Washington
Irving, the two formed a strong liking for each other, and in 1807,
_Salmajundi_, their joint production, was issued, and its success
was great. In 1812 Mr. Paulding published _The Diverting History of
John Bull and Brother Jonathan_, and this was followed by _The Lay
of the Scottish Fiddle_, _Letters from the South_, _John Bull in
America_, _Chronicle of the City of Gotham_, _The Dutchman’s
Fireside_, _Westward Ho_, _The Book of St. Nicholas_, and many other
works of exceptional merit.
PECK, GEORGE W., author of the “Peck’s Bad Boy” series of articles,
began life as a printer’s devil, entered the army in 1863, and when
peace was declared returned to Wisconsin and made his name as a
humorous writer in the columns of _Peck’s Sun_, Milwaukee. Since the
famous articles were published Mr. Peck has entered politics, and
for some years held the position of Governor of Wisconsin.
PETE PAREAU. _See_ WRIGHT.
PETERS, SAMUEL (1735-1826), author of _General History of Connecticut_,
a satire.
PETROLEUM V. NASBY. _See_ LOCKE.
PHARMENAS MIX. _See_ KELLY.
POMEROY, MARCUS MILLS, born 1833. After an apprenticeship to journalism
in the West, he founded in New York, 1868, the _Brick Pomeroy
Democrat_, which for sensationalism was unsurpassed in the history
of American journalism. He has the reputation of being able to tell
a plainer lie—professionally, of course—than any man in America. His
principal books are _Sense_, _Nonsense_, _Brick Dust_, _Home
Harmonies_, and _Perpetual Money_.
“PORTE CRAYON.” _See_ STROTHER.
RILEY, JAMES WHITCOMB (1854). Mr. Riley is writing the typically
American verse of the day, and his work is now read by a larger
public than any other American poet finds. His poems, humorous or
otherwise, are full of tender feeling, and in them the tear
invariably accompanies the smile. He has a perfect command of the
country dialects, and pictures as no other writer seems able to do,
the humorous and the pathetic side of American life. A number of his
books have been published in England. _Old Fashioned Roses_, by
Messrs. Longmans, Green, & Co., and other volumes by Messrs. Gay &
Bird. In America the Bowen-Merrill Co., Indianapolis, publish _The
Old Swimmin’-Hole, and ’Leven More Poems_; _The Boss Girl, and other
Sketches and Poems_; and _Afterwhiles_. Mr. Riley’s verses, “Old Man
and Jim,” and “Little Orphant Annie,” are popular with reciters on
both sides the Atlantic.
ROCHE, JAMES JEFFREY (1847), editor of the _Boston Pilot_, and author of
_Songs and Satires_. Has written a great deal of humorous verse.
RUSSELL, IRWIN (1853-1879). According to Joel Chandler Harris, Mr.
Russell was the first Southern writer to appreciate the literary
possibilities of the negro character. Mr. Russell’s short life was
one of hard work and disappointments, and it was not until after his
death that his poems were collected and published. “Christmas Night
in the Quarters” is the best of his poems.
SANDERSON, JOHN (1783-1844). _The American in England_ and _The American
in Paris_ are works which attained wide circulation at the time of
publication.
SAXE, JOHN GODFREY (1816-1887), a humorist whose command of rhyme was as
complete as that of “Ingoldsby.” He was a prolific writer of
humorous verse, and also wrote much that is in a serious vein. Mr.
Saxe was an ardent politician, holding the position of State
Attorney for Cheltenden, co. Vt., and in 1859, and again in 1860,
was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor of that
state. Many of his poems saw original publication in _Harper’s
Magazine_ and the _Atlantic Monthly_.
SCOLLARD, CLINTON (1860), a writer of fanciful and sparkling verse. His
books of verse, _Pictures in Song_, _With Reed and Lyre_, and _Old
and New World Lyrics_, have been successful.
SECCOMB, JOHN (1708-1793). Educated at Harvard, and settled as a
minister at Chester, Nova Scotia, where he died. Author of “Father
Abbey’s Will,” a humorous piece of verse, published in the
_Gentleman’s Magazine_, May 1732.
SHANLY, CHARLES DAWSON (1811-1875), born in Ireland and died in Florida.
He is claimed as a Canadian, he having held a government office for
fifteen years in Canada before going to New York to engage in
journalism. He was editor of _Vanity Fair_ and _Mrs. Grundy_, New
York publications, and contributed to the _New York Leader_,
_Atlantic Monthly_, and other periodicals. He wrote “A Jolly Bear
and his Friends,” “The Monkey of Porto Bello,” “The Truant Chicken,”
and “The Walker of the Snow,” a well-known poem. See Lighthall’s
_Songs of the Great Dominion_.
SHARP, LUKE. _See_ ROBERT BARR.
SHAW, HENRY WHEELER, 1818-1885 (“Josh Billings”). In compilations of
American humour “Josh Billings” has always been popular. His pungent
paragraphs are very convenient to fill the chinks between longer
articles. A great deal of his humour is in the spelling; but his
“sayings” are full of philosophy and wisdom, to which the
orthography gives a certain quaintness. His publications are _Josh
Billings his Sayings_, _Josh Billings on Ice_, _Every Boddy’s
Friend_, and _Josh Billings’ Spice Box_.
SHELTON, FREDERICK WILLIAM (1814-1881), author of _The Trollopiad_,
_Rector of St. Bardolph’s_, _Peeps from the Belfry_, etc. Mr.
Shelton was a clergyman who found authorship more congenial and
profitable, and so devoted himself to writing.
SHERMAN, FRANK DEMPSTER (1860), author of _Madrigals and Catches_ and
_Lyrics for a Lute_, volumes of dainty verse.
“SHERWOOD BONNER.” _See_ MACDOWELL.
SHILLABER, BENJAMIN P. (1814-1890). No series of newspaper articles in
the humorous vein attracted greater attention than that written by
Mr. Shillaber under the _nom de guerre_ “Mrs. Partington.” These
short articles were full of good-natured humour, and never failed to
draw a smile from the reader.
SILL, EDWARD ROWLAND (1841-1887). His poems contain a few pieces of
pleasant fancy.
SMALL, SAMUEL W., born 1851, a Southern humorist who published articles
under the pseudonym “Old Si.”
SMITH, JAMES (1720-1806), a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Alexander Graydon, in his _Memoirs_, says that Smith was accounted a
consummate humorist by those who knew him.
SMITH, MAJOR CHARLES H., “Bill Arp,” born 1826. His humorous sketches,
published in the _Atlanta Constitution_, have long been popular
reading in the Southern States. He served in the Confederate army
during the war.
SMITH, REV. WILLIAM WYE (1827), a Canadian writer whose poems are
popular in his native country. See Lighthall’s _Songs of the Great
Dominion_.
SMITH, SEBA, _nom de guerre_, “Major Jack Downing” (1792-1868). A
journalist who, after editing the _Eastern Argus_, _Family
Recorder_, and _Portland Daily Courier_, wrote during the presidency
of Jackson the famous series of satirical letters which made the
name “Jack Downing” celebrated in America. In 1842 he removed from
Portland to New York city, and published _Powhatan_, _New Elements
of Geometry_, _Way Down East_. He was all his life a journalist.
SPOOPENDYKE. _See_ HUNTLEY.
STEEL, RICHARD, famous paragraphist of Chicago from about 1870 to 1882.
STOCKTON, FRANCIS RICHARD, born 1834. Educated in Philadelphia, he first
became an engraver, but abandoned this for journalism. After some
experience in newspaper work he joined the staff of _Scribner’s
Monthly_, and subsequently was appointed assistant-editor of _St.
Nicholas_. His first great success was made with the _Rudder Grange_
stories, and few short stories have attracted such a reading public
as “The Lady or the Tiger.” All his writings are rich in quiet and
quaint humour, and no writer can tell a more genial and interesting
story. A convenient-sized and inexpensive edition of his works,
including _Rudder Grange_, from which “Pomona’s Novel” is taken,
_The Lady or the Tiger? and other Stories_, and _A Borrowed Month,
and other Stories_, is published by David Douglas, Edinburgh.
American publishers, Charles Scribner’s Sons.
STROTHER, DAVID HUNTER (1816-1888), an artist as well as a humorous
writer. He wrote under the _nom de guerre_ of “Porte Crayon,” and
illustrated his own work. Published works, _The Blackwater
Chronicle_ and _Virginia Illustrated_.
SWEET, ALEXANDER EDWIN, Canadian, born 1841. After an adventurous youth
he became editor of the _San Antoine Express_ in 1869, and later,
with Colonel Knox, conducted _Texas Siftings_. For a time the weekly
was published in Texas, but afterwards the office was moved to New
York.
THOMPSON, BENJAMIN (1640-16—). A native of Massachusetts, a graduate of
Harvard, and generally credited with being the first poet born in
America. He wrote in satirical vein _New England’s Crisis_.
THOMPSON, DANIEL PIERCE (1793-1868). Began his literary career with a
satirical novel entitled, _The Adventures of Timothy Peacock, Esq.;
or, Freemasonry Practically Illustrated_, which caused quite a stir
among Freemasons and others in 1835.
THOMPSON, MAURICE (1844), author of _Songs of Fair Weather_, _By-Ways
and Bird Notes_, _Sylvan Secrets_, etc. An intense lover of nature
and out-door life, as his poems show. See Professor Roberts’ _Poems
of Wild Life_, “Canterbury Poets.”
THOMPSON, MORTIMER H. (1830-1875). Wrote under the _nom de guerre_ “Q.
K. Philander Doesticks.” His work for a time was popular in the
newspapers of “the States.” Author of _The Dodge Club_.
THOMPSON, WILLIAM TAPPAN (1812-1882). He wrote a number of articles
known as the “Major Jones’ Series,” in which the humour is
plentiful. He was the first white child born in the Western Reserve.
THOREAU, HENRY DAVID (1817-1862), one of the best known of the New
England “transcendentalists.” He has a fine vein of ironic humour.
His _Walden_ and _A Week on the Concord and Merrimac Rivers_ have
had a wide circulation in England.
TIMOTHY TITCOMB. _See_ HOLLAND.
TROWBRIDGE, JOHN TOWNSEND (1827). The most popular writer of stories for
boys in America. His work usually appears in the _Youths’
Companion_, Boston. His pathetically humorous poem, “The Vagabonds,”
is a favourite with reciters in England as well as America.
TROWBRIDGE, ROBERTSON, a verse-writer whose work has appeared in the
_Century Magazine_.
TURNBULL, JOHN (1751-1831), author of _The Progress of Dulness and
MacFingal_.
TYLER, ROYALL (1757-1826), a lawyer who in 1794 was made Judge of the
Supreme Court, and in 1800 Supreme Justice. He was the first to use
the Yankee dialect in literature, and his play, _The Contrast_, has
the distinction of being “the first American play ever acted on a
regular stage by an established company of comedians.” _May-Day, or
New York in an Uproar_; _The Georgia Spec., or Land in the Moon_;
and _The Algerine Captive_, are from his pen.
VANDEGRIFT, MARGARET, a frequent contributor of humorous verse to the
_Century_ and other publications.
VAUGHAN, SIR WILLIAM (1577-1640), who established a small settlement in
Newfoundland early in the seventeenth century, published in London,
1626, under the pseudonym of “Orpheus Junior,” a humorous poem,
entitled “The Golden Fleece.” He was a Welsh physician, and died in
Newfoundland.
WARD, NATHANIEL, born between 1578-80, died 1652. He was a Puritan
minister whose convictions got him into trouble with Archbishop
Laud, and in 1633 he was deprived of his living. The next year he
sailed for America and settled at Ipswich, and there compiled for
Massachusetts the “Body of Liberties,” which was adopted in 1641. In
1645-46 he wrote “The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam in America,” a
witty, stinging pamphlet, partisan and patriotic. This was published
in England, and during the year 1647 four editions were sold. He
returned to England and died at Shenfield, in Essex.
WARNER, CHARLES DUDLEY (1829), a prolific writer of sketches and
stories, through all of which runs a graceful vein of refined
humour. He now does the “Editor’s Study” in _Harper’s Magazine_. His
best-known books are, _My Summer in a Garden_, _Back-Log Studies_,
_Mummies and Moslems_, _Baddeck_, and in collaboration with Mark
Twain, _The Gilded Age_. London publishers, Sampson Low, Marston, &
Co. American publishers, Houghton, Mifflin, & Co., and Henry Holt &
Co.
WEBB, CHARLES HENRY (1834), a successful inventor as well as writer of
humorous verse and prose. Some of his earlier work was published
under the _nom de guerre_ of “John Paul.” _American Humorous Verse_
(“Canterbury Poets”) contains some of his best work.
WEBB, GEORGE, an Englishman by birth, contemporary of Benjamin Franklin,
author of _Bachelors’ Hall_. He studied at Oxford, took to the
stage, failed, and, joining the army, was sent to America, where he
deserted, and worked as a printer in Philadelphia.
WEEMS, MASON LOCKE (1760-1825), an eccentric character: clergyman,
story-teller, fiddler, and historian and book agent. In the latter
capacity, and with his fiddle always within reach, he travelled
through the rural districts of America, present at every
merry-making, and always pressing his wares on the people. He wrote
much in the way of history, in which a little fact suffices to carry
a great deal of entertaining fiction; and it is on his doubtful
authority that the famous story of Washington and his hatchet has
been given to the world.
WHITCHER, MRS. FRANCES MIRIAM, “WIDOW BEDOTT” (1812-1852). Her “Widow
Bedott” papers, although not of a high type of humour, were
immensely popular in her lifetime, and are still read.
WIDOW BEDOTT. _See_ WHITCHER.
WILCOX, ELLA WHEELER (1845?), a prolific writer of verse; one of the
chief literary women of America. Author of _Drops of Water_,
_Maurine_, _Shells_, _Poems of Passion_ (which caused a great stir
at the time of publication), and _Poems of Pleasure_.
WILLIAMS, JOHN H., “The Norristown Herald Man.” His humorous writings
were widely quoted during the “seventies.”
WILLIS, NATHANIEL PARKER (1806-1867). He edited the _New York Mirror_,
and under his care that weekly became the foremost literary paper of
America, and continued to hold that position while Mr. Willis
continued with it. He was the author of a large number of religious
poems as well as many that were of a humorous turn.
WOOD, WILLIAM, born in England about 1580, died in America 1639. After
paying a visit to Massachusetts in 1629, he finally settled at
Sandwich in that state, and became town clerk in 1637. In London was
published his book; the following is a copy of the title-page:—“Nevv
England’s Prospect. A true, lively, and experimentall description of
that part of America commonly called Nevv England; discovering the
state of that countrie, both as it stands to our new-come English
Planters; and to the old Native Inhabitants. Laying downe that which
may both enrich the knowledge of the mind-travelling Reader, or
benefit the future Voyager, by William Wood. Printed at _London_ by
_Ro. Cotes_ for Iohn Bellamie, and are to be sold at his shop, at
the Three Golden Lyons in _Corne-hill_, neere the _Royall Exchange_,
1634.”
WRIGHT, ROBERT WM. (1816-1885). His _Vision of Judgment_ and _The Church
Knaviad_ are strong in satire.
WRIGHT, ROBERT H. (1868), author of the “Pete Parean” papers, written in
the French-Canadian _patois_. The dialect is not first-class, but
the papers are humorous.
WYOMING KIT held a position on the _Detroit Free Press_ for a few
months, during which time he contributed verse that was quoted all
over “the States.” He suddenly disappeared, and it is not known
where he is now. His name was Adams.
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THE WALTER SCOTT PUBLISHING CO., LIMITED, FELLING-ON-TYNE.
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● Transcriber’s Notes:
○ Missing or obscured punctuation was corrected.
○ Unbalanced quotation marks were left as the author intended.
○ Typographical errors were silently corrected.
○ Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).