John D. Sherwood

author

John D. Sherwood

1818–1891

Best known for blending humor with history, this 19th-century writer brought American subjects to life with a light, satirical touch. He was also a lawyer and wide-ranging traveler, experiences that seem to have fed his curiosity and eye for detail.

1 Audiobook

The comic history of the United States, from a period prior to the discovery of America to times long subsequent to the present

The comic history of the United States, from a period prior to the discovery of America to times long subsequent to the present

by John D. Sherwood

About the author

John D. Sherwood was a 19th-century American author remembered today chiefly for The Comic History of the United States. The surviving record around him is fairly thin, but contemporary material identifies him as a young New York lawyer as well as a writer.

A notice from the 1840s describes him as someone who spent about three years traveling across Europe, the Danube region, Turkey, Asia Minor, Greece, Egypt, and the desert. That same source says those journeys gave him a store of observations on people, politics, and places, which helps explain the broad, lively perspective in his writing.

His name also appears on works beyond comic history, including writing connected to Cuba and the Holy Land. Even if he is now somewhat obscure, Sherwood stands out as one of those 19th-century literary figures who moved easily between law, travel, commentary, and popular history.