Charles Farrar Browne

Date of Birth: April 26, 1834

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: March 6, 1867

Biography

Charles Farrar Browne, better known by his pen name Artemus Ward, was a renowned American humorist and writer. Born on April 26, 1834, in Waterford, Maine, Browne became one of the early masters of American satire and humor. His career began in the realm of journalism, where he worked as a compositor and later as an editor for several newspapers. It was during his tenure at the Cleveland Plaindealer that he adopted the pen name Artemus Ward and began writing humorous articles that gained widespread popularity. Browne’s humor was characterized by its satirical take on American society and politics, often presented in the form of lectures delivered by his fictional character, Artemus Ward. His work was widely read and appreciated, even influencing contemporaries such as Mark Twain. Browne’s lectures were so popular that they took him across the United States and even to England, where he continued to draw large audiences. Unfortunately, Browne’s life was cut short when he died of tuberculosis on March 6, 1867, in Southampton, England. Despite his relatively short career, his contributions to American humor have had a lasting impact, and his works continue to be celebrated for their wit and insight.

5 Interesting Facts about Charles Farrar Browne

1. Charles Farrar Browne is considered one of the pioneers of American stand-up comedy.

2. He was a mentor and significant influence on Mark Twain, who admired his style and wit.

3. Browne’s first book, “Artemus Ward: His Book,” was published in 1862 and became an instant bestseller.

4. He was known for his clever use of phonetic spelling to mimic regional dialects and speech patterns.

5. Despite his success, Browne struggled with health issues throughout his life, which ultimately led to his untimely death.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charles Farrar Browne

1. “I am not a politician, and my other habits are good.”

2. “Let us all be happy, and live within our means, even if we have to borrow the money to do it with.”

3. “The Puritans thought they were the chosen people of God, and they were very sure they didn’t want anybody else chosen.”

4. “It ain’t so much the things we don’t know that get us into trouble. It’s the things we know that ain’t so.”

5. “I’ve never met a man who gave me as much trouble as myself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Charles Farrar Browne’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but he was quite successful for his time, particularly from his lecture tours and book sales.