OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3061, 24 April 1917, Page 6

OBITUARY

SIR FRANCIS BURNAND,

London, April 22.

Obituary.—Sir Francis Burnand, lato editor of "Punch."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' [Sir Francis Cowley Burnand, was editor of "Punch" from 1862 to 1906j He was. tho author of dramatic and light literature/ He was born on November 29, 1836, and educated at Eton (where at fifteen ho wrote a farce, played at Cookesloy's House). From Eton ho wont to Trinity College, Cambridge,' and thero founded tyo Amateur Dramatic Club, where, his earliest pieces were produced. He studied for the English Church at Cuddesdon under Canon Liddon, hut later, he became a Roman Catholic. Subse-. quently he read for the Bar at Bour-' dillon's Chambers, and was called, but practised only occasionally. He commenced writing, and was, introduced by George Meredith to Once a Week, and by Lacy to a theatrical bookseller;' also to Charles Young, an actor who successfully produced "Dido" at St. James's Theatre, under the management of Chatterton and Willert. His : burlesque, "Black-eyed Susan" ran eight hundred nights at tho Royalty Theatro, Spho, and was placed for years provincially, and in America, When about 26 ho wrote for'the paper "Fun," but on its proprietor refusing his novelette, "Mokeanna," lie brought it to Mark Lemon, who accepted it for "Punch." Sir F, Burnand succeeded Lemon, Shirley Brooks, and Tom Taylor as editor of that paper in 1880. Amongst his best-known books are: "New Light on Darkest Africa," "Eccentric Guide to Isle of Thaneti" which was illustrated by Phil, May. He has written over .120 plays, chiefly burlesmies and light comedies ; chief among tlieso was "The Colonel;" svhich satirised tho ascetic craze of that period. With Sir Arthur Sullivan ho wrote two light operas, "Contrabandista" and "The Chieftain." One of his latest books was "Records and Reminiscences." The deceased gentleman resided at Ramsgato.]