RHODES, W(illiam) H(enry)

(1822-1876)

   US lawyer and writer who published various newspaper pieces and stories under the name Caxton, notably The Case of Summerfield (1871 Sacramento Daily Union; 1907 chap), about a scientist who threatens to setthe oceans of the world afire unless he is paid blackmail. Along with its sequel, 4 further sf stories and other ephemera, the tale was first published as a memorial by his colleagues in Caxton's Book: A Collection of Essays, Poems, Tales and Sketches (coll 1876). Also of interest in this volume is "The Telescopic Eye", about a boy blind at normal distances but able to observe the activities of the wheel-shaped denizens of the Moon.

   JC