Artemus Ward

Artemus Ward, pseudonym of Charles Farrar Browne (1834-1867), American humorist, born in Waterford, Maine. As a newspaper reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he wrote a humorous series signed by a fictitious traveling showman named Artemus Ward. The writings of Artemus Ward, who was noted for his atrocious spelling and grammar, became increasingly popular, and Browne adopted the name. In 1859 he joined the editorial staff of the New York periodical Vanity Fair. Browne's humorous lecture “The Babes in the Wood,” presented in 1861, proved so successful that he became a professional lecturer and began to tour throughout the United States. In 1866 he moved to London. His works include Artemus Ward, His Book (1862), Artemus Ward, His Travels (1865), and Artemus Ward in London (1867).