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.