The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Brooks, Charles William Shirley

BROOKS, Charles William Shirley, English journalist, editor of Punch: b. London, 29 April 1816; d. there 23 Feb. 1874. He settled in London, wrote dramas, contributed to 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 condition of labor and the poor in Russia, Syria and Egypt, and a result of his observations appeared in ‘The Russians of the South’ (1856). He wrote political articles, attracted attention by several dramas and burlesques and in 1854 joined the staff of the London Punch. In 1870 he succeeded Mark Lemon as its editor. His novels, which include ‘Aspen Court’ (1855); ‘The Gordian Knot’ (1860); ‘The Silver Cord’ (1861); ‘Sooner or Later,’ with illustrations by Du Maurier (1866-68); ‘The Naggeltons’ (1875), show keen observation. He also wrote ‘Amusing Poetry’ (1857). His son, Reginald Shirley, collected Brooks' ‘Wit and Humor from Punch’ (1875).