Tom Hood
Encyclopedia
Tom Hood was an English
humorist and playwright
, son of the poet
and author Thomas Hood
. A prolific author, he was appointed, in 1865, editor of the magazine Fun
. He also founded Tom Hood's Comic Annual in 1867.
, England. After attending University College School
and Louth Grammar School, he entered Pembroke College, Oxford
, in 1853. There he studied for the Church and passed all the examinations for the degree of BA, but did not graduate.
At Oxford he wrote his Farewell to the Swallows (1853) and Pen and Pencil Pictures (1854). He began to write for the Liskeard Gazette in 1856, and edited that paper in 1858-1859. In 1861 he wrote Quips and Cranks, and Daughters of King Daher, and other Poems. The next year, he published Loves of Tom Tucker and Little Bo-Peep, a Rhyming Rigmarole, followed in 1864 by Yere Vereker's Vengeance, a Sensation and in 1865 by Captain Master's Children, a Novel, and Jingles and Jokes for the Little Folks. His novels included A Disputed Inheritance, Golden Heart, [A Lost Link, Captain Masters's Children (1865), and Love and Valour. He also wrote two books on English verse composition, several children's books (in conjunction with his sister, Frances Freeling Broderip
), and a body of magazine and journal articles. Hood drew with considerable facility, among his illustrations being those of several of his father's comic verses, some of which were collected in his father's book of comic verses, Precocious Piggy.
Meanwhile, in 1860, he had obtained a position in the War Office, which he filled for five years, leaving in 1865 to become editor of Fun
, the comic paper, which became very popular under his direction. In private life, Hood's geniality and sincere friendliness secured him the affection and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintance. Some of these friends also became contributors to his publications. For example, he befriended the dramatist W. S. Gilbert
, a frequent contributor to Fun. Hood wrote the burlesque, Robinson Crusoe; or, The Injun Bride and the Injured Wife (1867), together with Gilbert, H. J. Byron, H. S. Leigh and Arthur Sketchley. Hood's Fun gang also included playwright Thomas W. Robertson, among others. In 1867 he first issued Tom Hood's Comic Annual.
A memoir by Hood's sister, FF Broderip, is prefixed to the edition of his poems published in 1877. In 1925, a school in Leytonstone was renamed after Hood.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
humorist and playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, son of the poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and author Thomas Hood
Thomas Hood
Thomas Hood was a British humorist and poet. His son, Tom Hood, became a well known playwright and editor.-Early life:...
. A prolific author, he was appointed, in 1865, editor of the magazine Fun
Fun (magazine)
Fun was a Victorian weekly magazine, first published on 21 September 1861. The magazine was founded by the actor and playwright H. J. Byron in competition with Punch magazine.-Description:...
. He also founded Tom Hood's Comic Annual in 1867.
Biography
Hood was born at Lake House, LeytonstoneLeytonstone
Leytonstone is an area of east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is a high density suburban area, located seven miles north east of Charing Cross in the ceremonial county of Greater London and the historic county of Essex...
, England. After attending University College School
University College School
University College School, generally known as UCS, is an Independent school charity situated in Hampstead, north west London, England. The school was founded in 1830 by University College London and inherited many of that institution's progressive and secular views...
and Louth Grammar School, he entered Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, located in Pembroke Square. As of 2009, Pembroke had an estimated financial endowment of £44.9 million.-History:...
, in 1853. There he studied for the Church and passed all the examinations for the degree of BA, but did not graduate.
At Oxford he wrote his Farewell to the Swallows (1853) and Pen and Pencil Pictures (1854). He began to write for the Liskeard Gazette in 1856, and edited that paper in 1858-1859. In 1861 he wrote Quips and Cranks, and Daughters of King Daher, and other Poems. The next year, he published Loves of Tom Tucker and Little Bo-Peep, a Rhyming Rigmarole, followed in 1864 by Yere Vereker's Vengeance, a Sensation and in 1865 by Captain Master's Children, a Novel, and Jingles and Jokes for the Little Folks. His novels included A Disputed Inheritance, Golden Heart, [A Lost Link, Captain Masters's Children (1865), and Love and Valour. He also wrote two books on English verse composition, several children's books (in conjunction with his sister, Frances Freeling Broderip
Frances Freeling Broderip
Frances Freeling Broderip was an English children's writer.Broderip, second daughter of Thomas Hood, the poet, who died in 1845, by his wife, Jane Reynolds, who died in 1846, was born at Winchmore Hill, Middlesex, in 1830...
), and a body of magazine and journal articles. Hood drew with considerable facility, among his illustrations being those of several of his father's comic verses, some of which were collected in his father's book of comic verses, Precocious Piggy.
Meanwhile, in 1860, he had obtained a position in the War Office, which he filled for five years, leaving in 1865 to become editor of Fun
Fun (magazine)
Fun was a Victorian weekly magazine, first published on 21 September 1861. The magazine was founded by the actor and playwright H. J. Byron in competition with Punch magazine.-Description:...
, the comic paper, which became very popular under his direction. In private life, Hood's geniality and sincere friendliness secured him the affection and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintance. Some of these friends also became contributors to his publications. For example, he befriended the dramatist W. S. Gilbert
W. S. Gilbert
Sir William Schwenck Gilbert was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his fourteen comic operas produced in collaboration with the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan, of which the most famous include H.M.S...
, a frequent contributor to Fun. Hood wrote the burlesque, Robinson Crusoe; or, The Injun Bride and the Injured Wife (1867), together with Gilbert, H. J. Byron, H. S. Leigh and Arthur Sketchley. Hood's Fun gang also included playwright Thomas W. Robertson, among others. In 1867 he first issued Tom Hood's Comic Annual.
A memoir by Hood's sister, FF Broderip, is prefixed to the edition of his poems published in 1877. In 1925, a school in Leytonstone was renamed after Hood.