Blair Lectures on Humorist and Entertainer Dan Rice

One of the most famous Americans of the 19th century had deep roots in West Long Branch - and, Associate Professor of English Stanley Blair argues, a largely forgotten second career as a writer.

Dan Rice (1823-1900) was the nation's best-known entertainer from the late 1840s through the 1870s, a showman credited with popularizing show-business phrases, inspiring the Ringling Brothers, and serving as a model for Uncle Sam. He was a "clown" in the word's older sense: a jester who mixes comedy with truth. He was also a local writer whose literary work has been almost entirely overlooked, said Blair, who presented preliminary findings at a public lecture sponsored by the Township of Ocean Historical Museum.

Rice's ties to the area ran deep. His maternal ancestors came from the part of historical Ocean Township that became West Long Branch; he retired to a house on Norwood Avenue in Long Branch; and he and other members of his mother's family are buried in West Long Branch.

Because of Rice's substantial national reputation as an entertainer, most accounts have focused on his circus performances, rather than his writings. Those writings include four "songsters" (booklets of song lyrics and other writings); fiction and a humor column in Long Branch newspapers; and a posthumous book, privately printed in Long Branch, containing a co-written nonfiction account of his life as well as a 300-page collection of his shorter writings. Because some of this work was printed locally, it did not circulate very far nationally, Blair said.

Rice himself suggested his own place in American literary history, according to Blair, as a precursor to the late 19th-century literary humorists, whose best-known figure is Mark Twain. Indeed, Blair said, Rice accused Twain and other literary humorists of having plagiarized from circus performances.

Blair was introduced by museum board member and Monmouth alumna Lois Kiely '65 '80M '88HN, accompanied by the museum's editorial intern, Jack Dawson '26. Kiely is also a former adjunct professor of education at Monmouth.

Several Monmouth students and alumni attended the presentation and contributed to the discussion that followed. Peyton Rozycki, a rising senior majoring in creative writing and English, called Rice "the Barbie of his time, considering how many occupations he had. His going from animal trainer to clown to producer and businessman and even to would-be politician and author - well, it rocked my world a bit. I had no idea anyone could pursue that many dreams in their lifetime! I find it so fascinating how I have avoided hearing about this man for so long!" It made sense that Rice was a writer, rising junior business major Jadhe Samanez said, because Rice was "a witty speaker who used storytelling and humor to engage his audience."

Isabella Spurlin '26, entering the graduate English program in the fall, remarked, "What stood out to me most was the idea that people have dismissed Rice by saying that because he was an entertainer, he wasn't also a writer. Clearly, he was producing poetry, fiction and nonfiction, drama, and autobiographical work. His literary works made me see him in a completely different way. It made me think about how we define who counts as a 'real' writer, and how easily someone can be overlooked if they don't fit the traditional image."

Rachel Hoffman, a rising senior majoring in elementary education, added, "I also liked learning about Rice's connection to Monmouth County because it made everything feel more personal. Knowing that someone so famous had roots so close to where my college town is made the presentation more interesting. The details about his family, his life later, and even where he's buried helped me see him not just as a performer but as a real person. The presentation helped me realize how easily someone's story can get lost over time." A rising junior homeland security major, Henry White, said, "My biggest takeaway was how important it is that overlooked people get their credit and are respected. Dr. Blair did loads of research on someone he deemed to be unjustly forgotten, not for anything in return, but because he knows it's the right thing to do."

Blair's presentation is available on The Township of Ocean Historical Museum YouTube channel.