Charles Dod

Charles Roger Phipps Dod (or Dodd) (1793–1855) was an Irish journalist and writer, known for his reference works including the Parliamentary Companion. , this work is still published as Dod's Parliamentary Companion.

Life The only son of the Rev. Roger Dod, vicar of Drumlease, County Leitrim, by his second wife, Margaret, daughter of Matthew Phipps of Spurrtown, he was born at Drumlease 8 May 1793. He entered King's Inns, Dublin, 30 July 1816, with the intention of studying for the bar, but became a writer. Until 1847 he spelt his name Dodd, but after that time he resumed his proper name, Dod, as borne by his father and his ancestors, the Dods of Cloverley, Shropshire.

After having been part proprietor and editor of a provincial journal, Dod settled in London in 1818, where for 23 years he was connected with The Times. He took charge of the reports of parliamentary debates, managed reporters, and wrote obituaries to order. He succeeded John Tyas as the compiler of the summary of debates for The Times originated by Horace Twiss.

Family Dod married on 24 October 1814, Jane Eliza, eldest daughter of John Baldwin of Cork. Their only son was Robert Phipps Dod, who was educated at King's College, London, entered the 53rd Shropshire Regiment of militia, and served as a captain from 26 January 1855 to his death in 1865. He assisted his father in the compilation of The Parliamentary Companion and The Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage, and took over the management of these works after 1843. Birth and Worth, an Enquiry into the Practical Use of a Pedigree, was printed by him in 1849 for presentation to his friends. He died at his residence, Nant Issa Hall, near Oswestry, Shropshire, 9 January 1865, from the effects of an accident while shooting in the previous December. He married, 9 February 1859, Catherine Emma, eldest daughter of the Rev. John Robert Nathaniel Kinchant.