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.