The Californian (1860s newspaper)
Encyclopedia
The Californian was a San Francisco literary newspaper
published weekly from May 28, 1864 until February 1, 1868.
was the first editor, and Fitz Hugh Ludlow
was one of the first contributors. The publishers sold the enterprise to Captain Ogden at the beginning of September 1864. Bret Harte
was given the post of editor, and Mark Twain
was hired at a high salary of $50 per month as a writer, twice as much money than he received for his much more difficult work as a reporter at the Call. Harte contributed articles as well, and the periodical jumped to the fore among its competitors in the San Francisco Bay Area
. Further contributions by Twain were his condensed novels Whereas and Lucretia Smith's Soldier.
After a period of rest at Lake Tahoe
, Webb resumed editing duties in November 1864. He continued in this role until April 1865. One of Twain's pieces for The Californian was submitted in December 1865, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
." This story and others were later published in a book of the same title.
By 1866, writer and poet James F. Bowman
was serving as de facto editor. Ina Coolbrith
submitted several poems to The Californian.
Ambrose Bierce
's first contribution to The Californian was in September 1867, a poem entitled "The Basilica." He followed with his first non-fiction essay, "Female Suffrage," in December.
Charles Warren Stoddard
was brought on board late in the life of The Californian. Stoddard expected to write articles, but instead kept the books and mailed subscriptions. Stoddard and Bierce became good friends. In 1867, Stoddard wrote a book of poetry entitled Poems. Bowman wrote a grandiose review of Stoddard's work in The Californian, then turned around and savaged both Stoddard and his earlier review, writing anonymously in the de Young
paper Dramatic Chronicle
.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
published weekly from May 28, 1864 until February 1, 1868.
History
The Californian was started in May 1864 by publishers P.J. Thomas, A.A. Stickney and John Collner. Charles Henry "Inigo" WebbCharles Henry Webb
Charles Henry Webb was an American poet, author and journalist.Born in New York, Webb spent three years at sea, and was then taken on by The New York Times. He later moved to California, worked as a journalist on the San Francisco Bulletin and was an editor of The Californian...
was the first editor, and Fitz Hugh Ludlow
Fitz Hugh Ludlow
Fitz Hugh Ludlow, sometimes seen as “Fitzhugh Ludlow,” was an American author, journalist, and explorer; best-known for his autobiographical book The Hasheesh Eater ....
was one of the first contributors. The publishers sold the enterprise to Captain Ogden at the beginning of September 1864. Bret Harte
Bret Harte
Francis Bret Harte was an American author and poet, best remembered for his accounts of pioneering life in California.- Life and career :...
was given the post of editor, and Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens , better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist...
was hired at a high salary of $50 per month as a writer, twice as much money than he received for his much more difficult work as a reporter at the Call. Harte contributed articles as well, and the periodical jumped to the fore among its competitors in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. Further contributions by Twain were his condensed novels Whereas and Lucretia Smith's Soldier.
After a period of rest at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. At a surface elevation of , it is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is , making it the USA's second-deepest...
, Webb resumed editing duties in November 1864. He continued in this role until April 1865. One of Twain's pieces for The Californian was submitted in December 1865, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" is an 1865 short story by Mark Twain, his first great success as a writer, bringing him national attention. The story has also been published as "Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog" and "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"...
." This story and others were later published in a book of the same title.
By 1866, writer and poet James F. Bowman
James F. Bowman
James F. Bowman was a journalist and poet in Northern California, and a co-founder of the Bohemian Club. Bowman served on several newspapers in Placerville, Sacramento and San Francisco during a 24-year career...
was serving as de facto editor. Ina Coolbrith
Ina Coolbrith
Ina Donna Coolbrith was an American poet, writer, librarian, and a prominent figure in the San Francisco Bay Area literary community...
submitted several poems to The Californian.
Ambrose Bierce
Ambrose Bierce
Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist...
's first contribution to The Californian was in September 1867, a poem entitled "The Basilica." He followed with his first non-fiction essay, "Female Suffrage," in December.
Charles Warren Stoddard
Charles Warren Stoddard
Charles Warren Stoddard was an American author and editor.-Life and works:Charles Warren Stoddard was born in Rochester, New York on August 7, 1843. He was descended in a direct line from Anthony Stoddard of England, who settled at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1639...
was brought on board late in the life of The Californian. Stoddard expected to write articles, but instead kept the books and mailed subscriptions. Stoddard and Bierce became good friends. In 1867, Stoddard wrote a book of poetry entitled Poems. Bowman wrote a grandiose review of Stoddard's work in The Californian, then turned around and savaged both Stoddard and his earlier review, writing anonymously in the de Young
M. H. de Young
Michael Henry de Young was an American journalist and businessman.-Life and career:De Young was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Amelia and Miechel de Young , who was a jeweler and dry-goods merchant. The family was Jewish, of Dutch Jewish descent...
paper Dramatic Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
.