Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Claris, John Chalk
CLARIS, JOHN CHALK (1797?–1860), journalist and poet, was born at Canterbury, where his father was a bookseller and publisher, about 1797. He was educated at the King's School. Canterbury, and about 1826 became editor of the ‘Kent Herald’ there. This post he held till 1865. He was in bad health some time before his death, which took place at Best Lane, Canterbury, 10 Jan. 1866. He was survived by a wife and family. Claris was a man of cultivation. As a journalist he was devoted to the cause of reform, and wrote eagerly in favour of catholic emancipation and the first Reform Bill. Under the name of 'Arthur Brooke' he published the following poetical works: ‘Juvenile Pieces,’ 1816; ‘Poems,’ 1817: ‘Durovernum,’ ‘The Curse of Chatterton,’ and other poems, 1818; ‘Thoughts and Feelings,’ 1820; ‘Retrospection’ (with portrait), 1821 (?); ‘Elegy on the Death of Percy Bysshe Shelley,’ 1822; he also contributed to Adams's 'Kentish Coronal,’ 1841.
[Kent Herald, 11 and 18 Jan. 1866; Notes and Queries. July and August 1872, pp. 29, 95; Gent. Mag. March 1866, p. 439; Brit. Mus. Cat.]