Biography
Thomas Hood was born on May 23, 1799 in London, England; after attending private schools, he entered a merchant's counting house at about age 13; ill health forced him to leave, and he spent time sketching and writing for local newspapers while staying with relations in Dundee (1815-18); in 1821 he became assistant sub-editor and constant contributor to London Magazine ; became editor of the Gem in 1829; published novel Tylney Hall in 1834; became editor of New monthly magazine in 1841; his poems include Song of the shirt, Bridge of Sighs, Miss Kilmansegg, and Epistle to Rae Wilson; he died on May 3, 1845 in London; his son Thomas Hood, better known as Tom Hood, was born on January 19, 1835 in Wanstead, Essex, England; matriculated from Pembroke College, Oxford in 1853; published his first book, Pen and pencil pictures, in 1857; editor of Liskeard gazette in Cornwall, 1858-59; worked as a clerk in the war office, 1860-65; wrote novel, Captain Masters's children, 1865; became editor of the comic newspaper, Fun, where he did much of the writing, as well as some drawings and engravings; began Tom Hood's comic annual in 1867, and wrote and illustrated many children's books; he died on November 20, 1874 in Peckham Rye, Surrey.
From the guide to the Hood Family Papers, 1820-1956, bulk 1820-1875, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)
