George Vere Hobart (1867–1926) was aCanadian-Americanhumorist who authored more than 50 musical comedylibrettos and plays as well as novels and songs.[1] At the time of his death, Hobart was "one of America's most popular humorists and playwrights".[2] Hobart gained initial national fame for the "Dinkelspiel" letters, a weekly satirical column written in a German-American dialect.[3][1] TheLibrary of Congress includes several of his songs in theNational Jukebox.[4]
Hobart also wrote under the pseudonymHugh McHugh.[5] Many of his works were adapted into films.
Hobart was born 16 January 1867 inCape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.[1] He immigrated to the Cumberland, Maryland to work as a telegraph operator for the United Press.[1]
Hobart wrote humorous sketches and columns for theSunday Scimitar andBaltimore News-American newspapers.[1] He then worked for a short time at theNew York Journal, before turning his attention to writing musicals, librettos, novels and children's books.[1] Hobart is noted as an "exceptionally prolific" and versatile writer.[3]
Among Hobart's notable books areJohn Henry,Down the Line,Back to the Woods,You Can Search Me and the 1904 novelJim Hickey, A Story of the One-Night Stands.[2][6][7]
Hobart was married to the short story writer Sarah Humbird De Vries,[9] with whom he had two children.[10] She died in 1923. He died inCumberland, Maryland, on 31 January 1926 following a "general break down" at age 59.[1]
^abcdefghi"G.V. Hobart, Humorist and Author Dies: Playwright and Author of Children's Books Has Break Down".The Fresno Morning Republican. Vol. 69, no. 32. Cumberland, MD. February 1, 1926. p. 1.
^ab"George V. Hobart, Playwright and humorist, Is Dead".San Francisco Examiner. February 1, 1926. p. 5.
^"The Creator of "Dinkenspiel"".The Texas Magazine.1 (4): 47. February 1910.
^"George V. Hobart, Playwright, Dies: Prolific Writer of Musical Comedy Librettos Succumbs After a Breakdown".New York Times. 1 February 1926. p. 19.
^Hoffmann, Max; Hobart, George V. (January 1, 1903).By the Sycamore Tree. The Rogers Bros. Music Publishing Co – via digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu.
Media related toGeorge V. Hobart at Wikimedia Commons
