author
James Rees
1802–1885
An American writer, playwright, and editor from Philadelphia, he moved easily between journalism, theater, poetry, and popular history. Writing under the pen name "Colley Cibber," he left behind a lively body of 19th-century work that ranged from dramatic pieces to books on the postal system and actor Edwin Forrest.
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About the author
Born in 1802 and active mainly in Philadelphia, James Rees built a varied literary career as a writer, playwright, and editor. He is often identified by the pseudonym "Colley Cibber," a playful nod to the earlier English dramatist. His work appeared across newspapers and magazines, and he was also associated with editorial roles in several periodicals.
Rees wrote in several forms, which helps explain why he remains an interesting figure for readers of 19th-century American literature. His books include The Wanderer, a Rambling Poem, Foot-prints of a Letter Carrier; or, A History of the World's Correspondence, and The Life of Edwin Forrest. That mix of poetry, cultural commentary, biography, and popular history suggests a writer deeply engaged with the reading public of his time.
He died in 1885. While he is not as widely remembered as some of his contemporaries, his career offers a vivid glimpse of the energetic literary and journalistic world of 19th-century Philadelphia.