Charles Dudley Warner (1829-1900) was an American essayist, novelist, and editor known for his wit and insightful social commentary. He was born in Plainfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from Hamilton College in 1851 before studying law at the University of Pennsylvania. Warner practiced law briefly but soon turned to journalism and writing, where he found his true calling. Some of his notable works include: My Summer in a Garden (1870): A humorous and reflective account of his experiences gardening, which also includes commentary on various social issues. Backlog Studies (1872): A collection of essays reflecting on everyday life. On Horseback (1888): A travel narrative of his journey through the Southern United States. Warner was also a prominent editor, serving as the co-editor of the Hartford Courant and later contributing to and editing the American Men of Letters series and Library of the World's Best Literature. At the time of his death, he was working on a biography of his friend, the artist Frederic Edwin Church. Warner's writing is characterized by its humor, insight, and elegant prose, and he remains an important figure in 19th-century American literature.