Designed for use by the general reader, the college student, and the teacher, this book analyzes the life and literary career of Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw), emphasizing his literary ventures and artistic talents. The analysis reveals Billings' talents as a subtle humorist, homespun philosopher, and artist of the essay. Chapters include "Man of Many Trades"; "'Affurisms,'" which examines Billings' aphorisms and the use of misspellings in his writings; "Essays and Sketches"; "Salmagundi," which discusses the letters of correspondence and miscellaneous short pieces, including a burlesque advertisement and poem; "Jest Books"; "Almanacs," which explores several experiments with the almanac and finally the publication of "Josh Billings' Farmer's Allminax," which secured his fame and fortune; "Josh on the Platform"; "A Word of Appraisal," which examines Billings' law standing as a literary figure in the nineteenth century and the reappraisal he is receiving in the present century; and "Conclusion." This volume also contains a chronology of Billings' life and concludes with a 73-item selected bibliography. (RB)