Brooks, CHARLES WILLIAM SHIRLEY

Brooks, CHARLES WILLIAM SHIRLEY, editor of Punch, was born in London, the son of an architect, 29th April 1816. In 1832 he was articulated to an Oswestry attorney, but literature had more charms for him than the law. From clerk he became, like Dickens, a reporter, and settling in London, wrote dramas, contributed to some of the leading periodicals and journals, and for five sessions wrote the Parliamentary Summary for the Morning Chronicle. By its proprietors he was sent in 1853 on a mission to report on the con- dition of labour and the poor in Russia, Syria, and Egypt; and a result of his observations appeared in The Russians of the South (1856). In 1851 he formed a connection with Punch which lasted during his lifetime. He wrote its 'Essence of Parliament,' and on Mark Lemon's death in 1870 succeeded him as editor. In his novels he showed a thorough knowledge of contemporary life and literature; the chief are Aspen Court (1855), The Gordian Knot (1860), The Silver Cord (1861), and Sooner or Later (1868). He died in London, 23d Feb. 1874. His Wit and Humour appeared in 1875. See Life by Henry Johnson (1899).