Biography:
Nye was born in Shirley, Maine. He moved with his parents to Wisconsin in 1852, settling on a farm near River Falls. His schooling was intermittent; he studied for a time in an academy in River Falls, later read law in Chippewa Falls, and shortly before leaving the state was unsuccessful with a short-lived newspaper venture in Grantsburg. He moved to Wyoming Territory, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He began early to contribute humorous sketches to the newspapers, using the pen name of "Bill Nye" after a character in a famous poem by Bret Harte popularly known as "The Heathen Chinee". He was connected with various western journals, and afterward settled in New York City.
The Boomerang was founded while Nye was the postmaster of Laramie City, Wyoming Territory. It launched him to national fame, gaining subscribers in every state and some foreign countries. His humor was uniquely American. In 1892, he wrote in The Century Magazine:
Some of his works include Bill Nye's Comic History of the United States, Baled Hay, Remarks, Bill Nye and Boomerang, Bill Nye's History of England, and Bill Nye's Red Book.
Late in his career, he was briefly associated with James Whitcomb Riley with whom he wrote two books. They also appeared together on the lecture circuit. He also traveled and lectured with Luther Burbank.
He died of meningitis in Arden, North Carolina. He is buried in Calvary Episcopal Churchyard in Fletcher, Henderson County, North Carolina. A historical marker honoring him is located in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, between the towns of Roberts and River Falls, and a second is located in Fletcher, North Carolina. A small monument marks his birthplace in Shirley, Maine.
(From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Wilson_Nye)
Works by Edgar Wilson "Bill" Nye:
Nye was born in Shirley, Maine. He moved with his parents to Wisconsin in 1852, settling on a farm near River Falls. His schooling was intermittent; he studied for a time in an academy in River Falls, later read law in Chippewa Falls, and shortly before leaving the state was unsuccessful with a short-lived newspaper venture in Grantsburg. He moved to Wyoming Territory, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He began early to contribute humorous sketches to the newspapers, using the pen name of "Bill Nye" after a character in a famous poem by Bret Harte popularly known as "The Heathen Chinee". He was connected with various western journals, and afterward settled in New York City.
The Boomerang was founded while Nye was the postmaster of Laramie City, Wyoming Territory. It launched him to national fame, gaining subscribers in every state and some foreign countries. His humor was uniquely American. In 1892, he wrote in The Century Magazine:
Some of his works include Bill Nye's Comic History of the United States, Baled Hay, Remarks, Bill Nye and Boomerang, Bill Nye's History of England, and Bill Nye's Red Book.
Late in his career, he was briefly associated with James Whitcomb Riley with whom he wrote two books. They also appeared together on the lecture circuit. He also traveled and lectured with Luther Burbank.
He died of meningitis in Arden, North Carolina. He is buried in Calvary Episcopal Churchyard in Fletcher, Henderson County, North Carolina. A historical marker honoring him is located in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, between the towns of Roberts and River Falls, and a second is located in Fletcher, North Carolina. A small monument marks his birthplace in Shirley, Maine.
(From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Wilson_Nye)
Works by Edgar Wilson "Bill" Nye:
- Bill Nye and Boomerang (1881)
- Forty Liars and other Lies (1882)
- Bill Nye's History of the United States (1894)
- Bill Nye's Comic History of the United States
- Baled Hay
- Remarks
- Bill Nye's History of England
- Bill Nye's Red Book