Josh Billings American humorist, author of many aphorisms Date of Birth: 21.04.1818 Country: USA

Biography of Josh Billings

Josh Billings, an American writer and humorist, was born in 1818 in Lanesborough, Massachusetts. He was originally named Henry Wheeler Shaw and grew up working as a farmer, miner, and even an auctioneer before becoming a journalist. Billings came from a respected family, with his grandfather being a congressman and his father serving in the United States House of Representatives.

After leaving college at Hamilton College due to his mischievous behavior, Billings married Zipha E. Bradford in 1845. In 1858, he published a book under the pseudonym Josh Billings. The book was filled with unconventional slang and a unique writing style that defied literary norms. Despite this, many appreciated the author's wit and his profound thoughts hidden within humor. Billings' famous aphorisms spread worldwide and became well-known in various languages. For example, his famous quote, "There is only one example in the world's history of a dog who was not bought with money—his tail," was featured at the beginning of the animated film "Lady and the Tramp."

Billings was later recognized as the second great writer-humorist after Mark Twain. However, his name has somewhat been unjustly forgotten, with many unaware of his contributions to popular sayings such as "If you want to know the truth, listen to both sides and don't believe either" and "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, as long as it agrees with ours." Billings' works include "Farmers' Allminax," "Josh Billings' Sayings," "Everybody's Friend," and "Choice Bits of American Wit and Josh Billings' Trump Kards."

Additionally, Billings was a popular lecturer and reciter. He passed away on October 14, 1885, in Monterey, California. The fate of his body was later described in John Steinbeck's book "Cannery Row." In one October day of 1885, an elderly gentleman encountered a young boy in Monterey who was carrying a liver and trailing intestines with a stomach at the end. After asking where he obtained these organs, the boy casually pointed towards a ravine. The gentleman realized that the organs were too small for beef and soon realized that the great writer Josh Billings had recently passed away in the local hotel. The town was horrified to learn that the local doctor, who was originally from France and also a pathologist, had casually disposed of Billings' organs in the ravine while embalming his body. Outrage and disgust spread through the town, and a committee was formed to rescue Billings' remains. Eventually, all that could be collected was properly prepared for burial, preventing further disrespect towards the writer.

Ironically, Billings himself, a great joker, had once uttered the phrase, "The greatest fool on earth is yet to be born."