Henry S. Brooks

Henry S. Brooks was born in London in 1830 [sic: 1831] and was educated at San Domingo House, Everton, the University of London, and the Royal British School of Design, Somerset House, where he was gold medallist in 1849. The following year he went to California with the pioneers. There he remained for more than thirty-five years, interested in mining and manufacturing. He established also an influential connection with literature, being the editor successively of the Californian Mountaineer and assistant editor of the Pacific Magazine[.] Both of these periodicals had a wide circulation and were devoted to the moral, intellectual, and religious advancement of the community. In association with Dr. T. Starr King he gave himself most earnestly to the active promotion of all that was good and to warfare against evil. Mr. Brooks retained throughout the implicit confidence of the miners, being often asked to act as arbiter in their difficulties.

After his removal to New York in 1886 he devoted himself entirely to literature, writing novels, and short stories. This work he performed in the same spirit, seeking supremely the advancement of humanity. His last book, published in 1902, was entitled Progression to Immortality.

George William Knox
1911 Century Association Yearbook