Frank R. Stockton is best remembered as the author of the short story "The Lady, or the Tiger"," but he is also acknowledged as an American humorist and the first associate editor of prestigious children's publication St. Nicholas, whose work for the magazine helped to establish its high standards. Although Stockton is a minor children's author and is not read extensively by modern youngsters, some of his short fantasy stories have remained in print.

Born in Philadelphia on 5 April 1834, Francis Richard Stockton was the third son of William Smith Stockton and his second wife, Emily Drean Stockton. Since their first two children had died in infancy, he was the eldest living child. Stockton was a slight, frail boy who was born with one leg shorter than the other. His physical activities were limited during his youth, so he began creating lengthy stories. Often these tales were developed in...