Seba Smith
Seba Smith was a prominent 19th-century journalist and humorist known for his contributions to American political satire. Born in 1792 in Buckfield, Maine, he rose from humble beginnings to achieve recognition through his creation of the character Jack Downing, a fictional Yankee whose simple yet insightful observations on politics resonated with readers. Smith's writing style blended humor and common-sense wisdom, offering a unique perspective on the political landscape of his time.
After graduating from Bowdoin College in 1818, Smith initially taught school before venturing into journalism. He became editor and part owner of the Portland Eastern Argus and later launched the Portland Courier, where he published satirical letters from Downingville. These letters cleverly highlighted the political maneuverings of the state legislature while engaging with real political figures.
Despite his success, Smith faced financial difficulties due to the economic recession of 1837, leading to a move to New York City, where he continued his work in journalism. His notable publications include "The Life and Times of Major Jack Downing" and "My Thirty Years Out of the Senate," along with a collection of New England stories titled "'Way Down East." Smith's legacy as a pioneer of political satire endures, reflecting the cultural and political currents of early America.
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Seba Smith
Humorist
- Born: September 14, 1792
- Birthplace: Buckfield, Maine
- Died: July 28, 1868
- Place of death: Patchogue, New York
Biography
Seba Smith was a nineteenth century journalist and humorist whose writing is considered one of the first examples of American political satire. He is best known for creating the fictitious character Jack Downing, who later became Captain Jack Downing, and then Major Jack Downing. Downing was an unsophisticated but observant Yankee whose naïve appraisals of American politicians and politics presented a common-sense wisdom that was popular with readers.
Smith was born in 1792 in a log cabin in the frontier town of Buckfield, Maine. His father later moved the family to Bridgton, Maine, and became a post rider between Waterford and Portland, Maine. Smith taught school in Bridgton at the age of eighteen even though he had little formal schooling. He attended North Bridgton Academy when he could, and while there he impressed a teacher who persuaded him to attend college. With the help of a benefactor, Smith entered Bowdoin College in 1815, graduating in 1818. He briefly returned to teaching in Portland, and then spent two years traveling in the Carolinas and England.
In 1820, Smith became editor and part owner of the Portland Eastern Argus newspaper. Smith married Elizabeth Oakes Prince and settled down to raise a family. In 1826, he sold his share of the Eastern Argus. Within three years, Smith had established two new publications, most notably the Portland Courier, in which he published satirical letters by the fictional Downing of Downingville, Maine. Smith used the character to enlighten readers about the political maneuvering of the state legislature and to boost the sales of his newspaper. While trying to sell his homemade goods in town, Downing observes the state of political affairs and presents his opinions of them in letters written in plain language to people back home. In his Downing sketches, Smith referred to actual political events and had his character interact with “real” people who were involved in them. Smith’s techniques brought him national attention for his comedic writing.
However, the economic recession of 1837 caused Smith to lose his publishing business and investments. He and his family relocated to New York City, where he found work contributing to and editing a number of newspapers. In 1833, Smith released a collection of his letters from the Courier, The Life and Times of Major Jack Downing of Downingville, Away Down East in the State of Maine, Written by Himself. More than twenty years later, Smith published a second satire collection, My Thirty Years Out of the Senate. By Major Jack Downing (1859). In addition to these satires, Smith also published a collection of stories about life in New England, ’Way Down East: Or, Portraitures of Yankee Life (1854).