The story of Jack Mason is part of the Theodore Thinker series, in which Theodore recalls various tales told to him of adventures on the sea by Jack. It was originally a children's book printed in 1855. As such, the stories are unlikely to be considered children's tales today. Some of the subjects include: the death of a small boy, the sale of a girl, and the ethics of killing animals. The story emphasizes Christianity and a Bible is a prominent figure in many of the stories. Jack Mason: The Old Sailor was written by Francis Channing Woodworth. He was born in Colchester, Connecticut in 1812, and died en route from New York to Savannah on a ship in 1859. During his life, he was initially a publisher, then became a preacher. He moved into writing children's stories after he became ill and discontinued preaching. He wrote numerous books for children, including Youth's Book of Germs (1851), Buds and Blossoms from Our Own Garden (1854), and Stories About the Country (1857). He also served as the editor for The Youth's Cabinet.