Charles Farrar Browne

Charles Farrar Browne (April 26, 1834 – March 6, 1867) was an American humor writer, better known under his nom de plume, Artemus Ward. Ward was the character of an illiterate rube with "Yankee common sense", whom Browne also played in public performances. He is considered to be America's first stand-up comedian. His birth name was Brown but he added the "e" after he became famous.

Early life and family Browne was born on 26 April 1834, in Waterford, Maine to Caroline (née Farrar) "a descendant of the first Puritans" who "operated a store in Waterford, engaged in farming and did some surveying", and was a justice of the peace.

Career At the age fourteen, he apprenticed and "learned the printer's trade" at The Advertiser in Norway, Maine, and later apprenticed in the printing office of The Skowhegan Clarion, Skowhegan, Maine, then, as a compositor "Loosely based on P.T. Barnum" ), the writings achieved great popularity in both America and England in collected form.

Browne's companion at the Plain Dealer, George Hoyt, wrote:

alt= Photograph of Artemus Ward, sitting with his right leg crossed over his left, a top hat and books sitting on the table to his right. A typed caption at the bottom of the image reads "H. Hering Photo", and his name is written at the bottom. Artemus Ward, [ca. 1859–1867]. Carte de Visite Collection, Boston Public Library.

In 1860, he became editor of the first Vanity Fair periodical, a humorous New York weekly that failed in 1863. At about the same time, he began to appear as a lecturer who, by his droll and eccentric humor, attracted large audiences. Browne was also known as a member of the New York bohemian set which included leader Henry Clapp Jr., Walt Whitman, Fitz Hugh Ludlow, and actress Adah Isaacs Menken. playing the part of Artemus Ward as an illiterate rube but with "Yankee common sense." in Waterford, Maine.

Legacy

In Cleveland, where Browne started his comedy career, an elementary school is named after him, known as Artemus Ward Elementary on W. 140th Street. In the American Garden of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens in Rockefeller Park, a monument of him was erected, next to Mark Twain.

Works Short stories A Visit to Brigham Young Women's Rights One of Mr Ward's Business Letters On "Forts" Fourth of July Oration High-Handed Outrage at Utica Artemus Ward and the Prince of Wales Interview with Lincoln Letters to his Wife

Artemus Ward books Artemus Ward His Book (1862) (full text online) Artemus Ward His Travels (1865) (full text online) Artemus Ward Among the Mormons (1865) (full text online) Artemus Ward in London (1867) (full text online) Artemus Ward's Panorama (1869) (full text online) Artemus Ward's Lecture (1869) (full text online)