SHANKS, William Franklin Gore, author, born in Shelbyville, Kentucky, 20 April, 1837. He was educated in Louisville, and wrote for the Louisville "Journal " and the "Courier." At the beginning of the civil war he became a correspondent of the New York "Herald," and joined its staff in 1865. In 1866 he contributed regularly to Harper's "Weekly" and "Monthly," and prepared an index of the contents of the latter for the first forty volumes. On the death of Henry J. Raymond, he transferred his services from the "Times" to the "Tribune," remaining there until 1880. While city editor of the "Tribune" he was imprisoned for contempt of court for refusal to divulge the name of the writer of an article in the paper, taking the ground that he was a privileged witness. After his release on a writ of habeas corpus he 'brought charges against District Attorney Winchester Brit-ton, who was removed by Governor Dix. In 1880 he instituted suit, for the first time in this country, against the vendor of a libel, recovering two judgments, and the court of appeals sustained the legal point at issue. In 1885 he organized the National press intelligence company, of which he is now (1888) president, and he is still a contributor to various newspapers. He has published "Recollections of Distinguished Generals" (New York, 1865) ; edited "Bench and Bar" (1868); and printed privately "A Noble Treason," a tragedy (1876).