Robert Benchley (1889 - 1945) drama critic, humorist and actor. Upon graduating from from college (1912) he began his career writing for a number of New York papers. At the time this witty anthropological study of Greenwich Village wildlife was printed, Benchley was serving as a contributing editor for Conde Nast's 'Vanity Fair'.
Click here if you would like to read a 1934 profile of Robert Benchley.