Charles Farrar Browne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Farrar Browne
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"Artemus Ward"
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Charles Farrar Brown
April 26, 1834 |
| Died | March 6, 1867 (aged 32) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | humorist |
Charles Farrar Browne (born April 26, 1834 – died March 6, 1867) was an American writer known for his humor. He was much more famous by his special writer's name, Artemus Ward. Browne also played this character in live shows. Artemus Ward was a simple country person who seemed uneducated but had lots of "Yankee common sense." Many people think Browne was America's first stand-up comedian. His family name was originally Brown, but he added the "e" after he became well-known.
Contents
Who Was Charles Farrar Browne?
Early Life and Career
Charles Farrar Browne was born in Waterford, Maine. He started his career working with newspapers. He helped set the type for printing, which was called a compositor. He also wrote articles for daily and weekly newspapers sometimes.
In 1858, he began writing a series of stories for The Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. These stories featured a character named "Artemus Ward." People loved these stories so much that they were collected into books. These books became very popular in both America and England.
George Hoyt, a friend who worked with Browne at the Plain Dealer, described him. He said Browne's desk was old and wobbly. His chair was also unsteady. But Browne didn't notice these things. He was too busy thinking of funny ideas. When he wrote, he would often laugh to himself. He would even slap the table because he was so amused by his own thoughts!
Becoming "Artemus Ward"
In 1860, Browne became the editor of the first Vanity Fair. This was a funny weekly magazine in New York. Around this time, he also started performing as a lecturer. He would act out his character, Artemus Ward. His funny and unique style attracted huge audiences.
Browne was also part of a group of creative people in New York. This group included famous writers like Walt Whitman.
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In 1863, Browne traveled to San Francisco to perform as Artemus Ward. He was very good at promoting his shows. He sent his manager ahead to buy ads in local newspapers. His manager also encouraged important people in the city to support the show.
On November 13, 1863, Browne performed for a full house at Platt's Music Hall. He played Artemus Ward as a simple, uneducated country person. But this character also had a lot of practical "Yankee common sense." Writer Bret Harte was in the audience that night. He said Browne's humor captured the way Americans talked. He felt it was the kind of fun you find across America, from stagecoaches to campfires.
A Favorite of President Lincoln
"Artemus Ward" was a favorite writer of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Before Lincoln shared the important "The Emancipation Proclamation" with his team, he read them a funny story. It was the latest episode of Artemus Ward, called "Outrage in Utiky."
Friendship with Mark Twain
When Browne performed in Virginia City, Nevada, he met another famous writer, Mark Twain. The two became good friends. In their letters, Browne even called Twain "My Dearest Love."
There's a fun story about Browne, Twain, and another friend, Dan De Quille. They were on a rooftop adventure in Virginia City one night. A town police officer saw them. He threatened to shoot them with a shotgun loaded with rock salt if they didn't get down!
Browne later suggested that Twain write for the New York Press. He also encouraged Twain to move to New York.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1866, Browne visited England. Many people there loved his performances as Artemus Ward. He also wrote for Punch, a famous British humor magazine.
Sadly, his health got worse within a year. He died from a serious lung illness called tuberculosis in Southampton on March 6, 1867.
Browne was first buried in England. But his body was later moved back to the United States in 1868. He is now buried at Elm Vale Cemetery in Waterford, Maine.
What He Left Behind
His Famous 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
Books by Artemus Ward
- Artemus Ward His Book (1862) (You can read the full book online!)
- Artemus Ward His Travels (1865) (You can read the full book online!)
- Artemus Ward Among the Mormons (1865) (You can read the full book online!)
- Artemus Ward in London (1867) (You can read the full book online!)
- Artemus Ward's Panorama (1869) (You can read the full book online!)
- Artemus Ward's Lecture (1869) (You can read the full book online!)
Legacy
In Cleveland, where Browne started his comedy career, an elementary school is named after him. It's called Artemus Ward Elementary and is on W. 140th Street. In the American Garden of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens in Rockefeller Park, there's a monument of him. It stands next to one for Mark Twain.
