Ernest Howard Crosby

Ernest Howard Crosby (1856–1907) was an American writer and social reformer born in New York City. After graduating from Columbia Law School, he served as a judge in the International Court of Alexandria, Egypt, and later in the New York State Assembly. Influenced by Leo Tolstoy, whom he visited in Russia, Crosby became a passionate advocate for pacifism, anti-imperialism, and labor rights. His best-known work, "Captain Jinks, Hero" (1902), is a satirical novel critiquing militarism and the Spanish-American War. He also wrote poetry, essays, and other novels, including "Swords and Plowshares" and "Tolstoy and His Message." Crosby's literary legacy lies in his fusion of fiction with progressive political thought, making him a notable figure in American reform literature of the early 20th century.