Combe, William

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William Combe (kŏŏm, kōm), 1741–1823, English satirist and miscellaneous writer, b. Bristol. His writing was mainly hack work, issued anonymously to avoid seizure of the proceeds by his many creditors. He is chiefly remembered for the "Dr. Syntax" series (3 vol., 1812–21), for which he wrote doggerel verse to accompany the illustrations of Thomas Rowlandson.

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