Charles farrar browne biography

Inhe became editor of the first Vanity Faira humorous New York weekly that failed in At about the same time, he began to appear as a lecturer who, by his droll and eccentric humor, attracted large audiences. An early expert at show business publicity, Browne sent his manager ahead by several weeks to buy advertising in the local papers and promote the show among prominent citizens for endorsements.

On November 13,Browne stood before a packed crowd at Platt's Music Hall[ 6 ] playing the part of Artemus Ward as an illiterate rube but with "Yankee common sense. President Abraham Lincoln. InBrowne visited England and attracted a large following to his playing Artemus Ward, both as lecturer and for his literary contributions to Punch.

But within a year his health gave way and he died of tuberculosis at Southampton on March 6, In Clevelandwhere Browne started his comedy career, an elementary school is named after him, known as Artemus Ward Elementary on W. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. Browne is considered the pioneer of American stand-up comedy for his live performances as alter ego Artemus Ward, a character he introduced in while writing for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.

The popularity of the character inspired a best-selling book enjoyed by President Abraham Lincoln and helped inspire the writings and speeches of author Mark Twain. There, he began writing for a humor magazine. At the newspaper, he introduced the Artemus Ward persona in a written letter on January 30,according to Case Western Reserve University.

The founder wanted Browne to write exclusively for the newspaper but declined to increase his pay. Browne left the job on November 10,and moved to New York on his way to becoming editor of Vanity Fair. Contemporaries described Browne in pleasant terms. Brown used the Ward character—that of a Yankee circus showman loosely based on P. Waterford, Maine.

SouthamptonHampshire. All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles including the article images and facts can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:. This page was last modified on 31 Augustat Suggest an edit. What set Ward apart from other performers of his time was his distinct delivery style, characterized by deadpan humor and unexpected punchlines.

Charles farrar browne biography

Not only did Artemus Ward achieve nationwide recognition, but he also garnered international appeal. Through successful tours across the United States, he captivated audiences with his comedic performances. However, during an overseas tour in England, Ward truly reached new heights of fame as he received accolades for amusingly observing American society and culture that resonated with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

In addition to his live comedy performances, Artemus Ward gained significant recognition for his exceptional contributions to literature. He published a series of books and essays showcasing his immense talent as a humorist and social commentator. Through the clever combination of humor and insightful observations on societal issues, Ward demonstrated his remarkable ability to satirize contemporary society through concise yet impactful writing.

The influence of Charles Farrar Browne on American comedy is immeasurable. As the pioneer of stand-up comedy in America, he paved the way for future generations of comedians to follow. In conclusion, Charles Farrar Browne played an instrumental role in shaping American comedy by introducing innovative techniques that have endured throughout history.

Charles Farrar Browne, the man behind the humorous character of Artemus Ward, encountered various personal obstacles. One such challenge was his battle with ongoing health issues, specifically a chronic lung condition. Despite his declining well-being, Browne remained dedicated to his craft and delighted audiences until he tragically passed away of tuberculosis on March 6th,at only 32 years old.

With his clever anecdotes, sharp observations, and distinct storytelling technique, Browne captivated audiences throughout the mids.