The Comic Almanack, Volume 1 An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, Containing Merry Tales, Humerous Poetry, Quips, and Oddities

Gilbert Abbott À Beckett

1811–1856

A lively Victorian humorist and playwright, he helped shape the early voice of Punch while also building a career in journalism and the law.

Henry Mayhew

1812–1887

Best known for his vivid portrait of Victorian street life, this pioneering journalist brought the voices of working Londoners onto the page with unusual curiosity and compassion. He also helped found Punch, linking sharp social observation with wit and reform-minded energy.

Horace Mayhew

1816–1872

A sharp Victorian humorist and journalist, he helped shape the early voice of Punch while also writing comic sketches, plays, and light fiction. His work moved easily between magazines, stage pieces, and illustrated books, giving him a lively place in 19th-century literary culture.

Albert Smith

1816–1860

Best known in Victorian England for lively humor, travel writing, and a hugely popular Mont Blanc stage lecture, this versatile writer moved from medicine into literature and entertainment with remarkable ease.