While Thomas Chandler Haliburton does not deserve the title often given him by early reviewers of his work, "the father of American humor," he is certainly a central figure in the formation of an American humorous character and approach. His creation, "Samuel Slick, of Slickville," a Yankee clock peddler of uncommon insight into the foibles of humankind, especially Nova Scotians, stands with Seba Smith's Jack Downing as one of the memorable comic characters of early American letters. Although Sam Slick is closer to the stage Yankee of tradition than to the "true Yankee" developed in the person of Hosea Biglow by James Russell Lowell, his "sayings and doings" had a widespread readership at home and abroad. Despite the parochial character of some of their contemporary political concerns, Haliburton's works still convey a laugh to modern readers.

Haliburton was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, in 1796. His father was chief...