Israel Zangwill (1864–1926) was a British author and playwright. He was a leading figure in cultural Zionism during the 19th century, as well as close friend of father of modern political Zionism, Theodor Herzl. In later life, he renounced the seeking of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. A notable portion of Zangwill's work concentrated on ghetto life and earned him the nickname, "the Dickens of the Ghetto". “The Bachelors' Club” is an 1892 short story that will appeal to lovers of the form and is not to be missed by fans and collectors of Zangwill's wonderful work. Other notable works by this author include: “Dreamers of the Ghetto” (1898), “Merely Mary Ann” (1913), and “Ghetto Tragedies” (1899). This classic work is being republished now in a new edition complete with an introductory chapter from “English Humourists of To-Day” by J. A. Hammerton.