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.