Charles Farrar Browne

Charles Farrar Browne (April 26, 1834 – March 6, 1867) was an American humor writer, better known under his ''nom de plume'', Artemus Ward. Ward was the character of an illiterate rube with "Yankee common sense", whom Browne also played in public performances. He is considered to be America's first stand-up comedian. His birth name was Brown but he added the "e" after he became famous. Provided by Wikipedia