George Horatio Derby (1823-1861) was an early California humorist. Derby used the pseudonyms "John P. Squibob," "John Phoenix," and "Squibob." He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Topographic Corps. In his spare time, he wrote humorous anecdotes and burlesques, often under his pseudonyms.

The first collection of sketches by the legendary California journalist and humorist George Horatio Derby (1823-1861), who came to California during the Gold Rush and quickly became a regular and popular contributor to the local newspapers. Derby wrote under several pseudonyms, including John Phoenix, John P. Squibob and Amos Butterfield, and his writings influenced both Twain and Harte, among humorists.