SIMONDS, William, author, born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, 30 October, 1822; died in Winchester, Massachusetts, 7 July, 1859. After attending school at, Salem and spending some time in learning the jewelry business at Lynn, Massachusetts, he was apprenticed to a Boston printer in 1837. While thus engaged he wrote his first book, " The Pleasant Way " (1841), which was published by the Massachusetts Sabbath-school society. This was followed in 1845 by "The Sinner's Friend," which was also well received. In December, 1845, he left the printing-office where he had spent nearly nine years, and early in 1846 began the publication of " The Boston Saturday Rambler," of which, after the first six months, he became the sole editor. In November, 1850, " The Rambler" was merged in the "New England Farmer," of which Simonds was general editor until his death. In 1848 he began the publication of a monthly entitled "The Pictorial National Library," but was unable to issue it longer than eighteen months. Mr. Simonds was convinced that he had a mission to perform in writing for the young, and he employed every means in his power to render his tales natural and attractive, and to make them accurate reflections of life. His chief work is "The Aimwell Stories," written under the pen-name of Walter Aimwell. These stories deal chiefly with New England farm-life. The first, "Clinton," appeared in 1853. He purposed to extend the series to twelve volumes, but lived to complete only six. The last one, "Jerry," was left unfinished, and to it is added a memoir of the author. Besides the books already mentioned, he published "Thoughts for the Thoughtless" (Boston, 1851) ; "The Boy's Own Guide " (1852); and "The Boy's Book of Morals and Manners " (1855).