HOLBROOK, James, journalist, born in 1812; died in Brooklyn, Connecticut, 28 April, 1864. He was to a great extent self-educated, and was a printer by trade. He was for several years editor of the "Norwich Aurora," and in 1839 established the "Patriot and Eagle" at Hartford, Connecticut In 1845 Mr. Holbrook was appointed special agent of the post office department, which office he held till his death. He was remarkably skilful as a detective, and brought many mail robbers to justice. In 1859 he established "The United States Mail," a journal devoted to postal matters, which he edited till his death. He is the author of "Ten Years among the Mail-Bags," in which he narrates his experience as a detective (1855).