author
Herbert Pelham Curtis
Best known for the lively one-act comedy None so Deaf as Those Who Won't Hear, this 19th-century writer brought a light, playful touch to stage dialogue. His life also ranged far beyond literature, including legal training at Harvard and service as a Union officer during the Civil War.
1 Audiobook
None so deaf as those who won't hear : A comedietta in one act
by Herbert Pelham Curtis
About the author
Born in Massachusetts in 1830, Herbert Pelham Curtis studied law at Harvard before serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Later in life he remained connected to public service and the law, and records linked to his career place him in roles that included military and legal work.
As a writer, he is remembered chiefly for None so Deaf as Those Who Won't Hear, a short comic play that has survived through Project Gutenberg and other digital archives. The piece shows a fondness for social comedy and mistaken communication, making it an easy, entertaining glimpse into 19th-century popular theater.
Although he is not a widely known literary figure today, Curtis left behind work that still feels approachable and stage-friendly. His background in law, military service, and letters gives his story an appealing mix of seriousness and wit.