Benjamin Penhallow Shillaber

Benjamin Penhallow Shillaber (July 12, 1814 – November 25, 1890)[1] was an American printer, editor, and humorist.

Shillaber was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1814 and began work in a printing office in 1830.

For the Post, Shillaber introduced his character Mrs. Ruth Partington, the American version of Mrs. Malaprop, which he would reuse frequently throughout his career.

Though it would only survive for two years, it soon earned a national reputation and enticed contributions from humorist like George Derby and others, as well as serious writers who used pseudonyms like Enoch Fitzwhistle, Peter Snooks, and John P. Squibob.

The May 1, 1852, issue ran a short article titled "The Dandy Frightening the Squatter" by a 16-year old Samuel L. Clemens, later known by the name Mark Twain.