Josh Billings

Date of Birth: April 21, 1818

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 14, 1885

Biography

Josh Billings, born Henry Wheeler Shaw, was an American humorist and lecturer in the 19th century, known for his homespun wit and wisdom. He was born on April 21, 1818, in Lanesborough, Massachusetts. Billings began his career as a farmer but soon found his true calling in writing. He adopted the pen name “Josh Billings” and became famous for his humorous essays, aphorisms, and lectures, often written in a deliberately misspelled phonetic style to mimic the common speech of the time. His works were widely published in newspapers and magazines, making him one of the most popular humorists of his era. Billings’ satire often focused on everyday life and human foibles, and he is often compared to his contemporary, Mark Twain. He passed away on October 14, 1885, in Monterey, California.

5 Interesting Facts about Josh Billings

1. Josh Billings’ real name was Henry Wheeler Shaw.

2. He used deliberate misspellings and phonetic spelling to add humor to his work.

3. Billings was a contemporary of Mark Twain and was often compared to him.

4. His lectures were extremely popular, and he toured extensively across the United States.

5. Billings’ writings often appeared in Harper’s Weekly and other popular magazines of the time.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Josh Billings

1. “It is better to know nothing than to know what ain’t so.”

2. “The trouble with most folks ain’t their ignorance, it’s knowin’ so many things that ain’t so.”

3. “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”

4. “Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.”

5. “Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those you hold well.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Josh Billings’ highest net worth is not well-documented, but he was considered to be quite successful and financially comfortable due to his popularity and extensive lecture tours.