H. Irving Hancock facts for kids

Harrie Irving Hancock (right) with Katsukuma Higashi.

Harrie Irving Hancock (born January 16, 1868 – died March 12, 1922) was an American chemist and a very busy writer. He is mostly remembered for writing exciting books for kids and young adults in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He also wrote a famous fictional story about a German invasion of the United States.

About Harrie Irving Hancock

Harrie Irving Hancock was born in Massachusetts on January 16, 1868. His parents were William Henry and Laura Hancock. He married Nellie Stein in 1887, and they had two daughters, Vivian and Doris.

Hancock was a very productive writer who often worked at night. He wrote for big newspapers like the New York Journal and the New York World, and for Leslie's Weekly magazine. A lot of his writing was for "Boy's books." These books were popular because they made boys feel "grown-up" and often featured the same heroes in long series. While many famous "Boy's books" came from the Stratemeyer Syndicate, Hancock mostly worked with other publishers.

For a long time, people thought he always used his own name, "H. Irving Hancock." But researchers Edward T. LeBlanc and J. Randolph Cox later found that a series of books by "Douglas Wells" were actually written by Hancock.

These researchers also discovered that Hancock was a journalist for The Boston Globe from 1885 to 1890. He also worked as a war reporter in Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish–American War. He wrote more than 50 stories for the kids' magazine Golden Hours between 1889 and 1901.

His stories covered many types of adventures, including westerns, detective stories (set in places like New Orleans and Asia), and historical adventures. Some of his stories, like 'The Great Tan-To; or Dick Brent's Adventures in Up-to-Date Japan,' were set in China and Japan. However, some of his characters were later seen as not being fair or accurate representations of people from different cultures.

Hancock's time as a war reporter gave him ideas for books about the Spanish–American War. He also wrote books about physical fitness and an Encyclopedia of Knowledge and Manners. He even edited a history book about West Point, a famous military academy. In a magazine article, he warned people about the dangers of smoking at a time when many didn't know it was harmful. He was also a sports writer and one of the first Western experts on Jiu-Jitsu.

Many of Hancock's writings showed strong patriotic feelings. His books often featured military heroes in different wars, from the American Revolutionary War to the First World War. He even wrote about an imaginary German invasion of the United States.

Besides writing, Hancock also started the Ferguson-Hancock Laboratories with Professor George A. Ferguson in 1908.

Harrie Irving Hancock passed away from liver problems at his home in Blue Point, New York on March 12, 1922. He is buried in an unmarked grave at the Blue Point Cemetery.

One of Hancock's books that is still available today is The Complete Kano Jiu-Jitsu. He wrote it with Katsukuma Higashi, and it was first published in 1905.

The Invasion of the United States Series

Hancock wrote a four-book series called The Invasion of the United States, published in 1916. These books told a fictional story about Germany invading the United States in 1920–21. This series helped change how Americans felt about joining the First World War. It was part of a type of story called invasion literature, which was popular in the early 1900s. These kinds of books were thought to make people more interested in war.

Hancock's series might have been inspired by William Le Queux's book The Great War in England in 1897 (1894). In that book, the French invade England, but the British bravely defeat them. Le Queux's book was very popular, so Hancock likely read it.

In Hancock's much longer series, the Germans launch a surprise attack in 1920. They capture Boston and take over all of New England and New York. They even reach Pittsburgh. But in the end, American forces bravely defeat them. Today, we might call this "retroactive" alternate history, meaning it's a fictional past that didn't happen.

Some parts of Hancock's story were not very realistic. For example, it would have been very hard for the German Navy to defeat the U.S. Navy and then transport a million German soldiers across the Atlantic. In reality, it was American soldiers who traveled across the Atlantic to fight in Europe a year after Hancock's story was published.

However, writer Dale Cozort pointed out something interesting. He said that the general idea of the war in Hancock's books was similar to what actually happened between Germany and Russia in World War II years later. He also noted that Hancock's books were among the first fictional stories to mention tanks.

Hancock was one of the first American writers to describe the U.S. being invaded by powerful enemies. This showed a change from the idea that America should stay out of world conflicts. Later, many other writers followed him, creating stories where the U.S. was invaded by Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, the Soviet Union, China, and even aliens.

Partial List of Writings

Juvenile Series

• Motor Boat Club Series
• The Grammar School Boys/Dick & Co. Series
• The High School Boys Series
• The High School Boys' Vacation Series
• West Point Series
• Annapolis Series
• The Dave Darrin Series
• Young Engineer (or Young Engineers) Series
• The Invasion of the United States Series
• Uncle Sam's Boys Series

Many of Hancock's books also appeared in the Street and Smith's "Bound to Win" series.

In the Street and Smith's "Bound to Win" Series

• 14) "His One Ambition; or, The Boy Reporter". 1892, 1903
• 38) "Captain of the Minute Men; or, The Concord Boys of 1775", 1890, 1903
• 69) "The Prince of Grit; or, A Sample American Boy", 1899, 1904
• 75) "The Three Hills of Gold; or, A Marvelous Legacy",1894, 1904
• 96) "The Young Diplomat; or, The Czar of Toddsland", 1894, 1904.
• 108) "Frank Bolton's Chase; or, A Long Hunt in the Dark", 1890, 1905.
• 119) "Compound Interest; or, The Boy and the Miser", 1895, 1905.
• 130) "The Boys' Revolt; or, Right Against Might", 1899, 1905.
• 137) "The Boy King-Maker; or, A Fearful Awakening", 1900, 1905.
• 142) "In the Path of Duty; or, The Adventure of a Young Policeman", 1900, 1905.
• 148) "Fighting the Cowards; or, Among the Moonshiners", 1904, 1905.
• 165) "On a Phantom Trail; or, A Clue from Nowhere", 1902, 1906.

The Motor Boat Club Series

• "The Motor Boat Club Of The Kennebec; or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island", 1909, Altemus.
• "The Motor Boat Club At Nantucket; or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir", 1909, Altemus.
• "The Motor Boat Club Off Long Island; or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed" 1909, Altemus.
• "The Motor Boat Club And The Wireless; or, The Dot, Dash, and Dare Cruise", 1909, Altemus.
• "The Motor Boat Club In Florida; or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp", 1909, Altemus.
• "The Motor Boat Club At The Golden Gate; or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog",1909, Altemus.
• "The Motor Boat Club On The Great Lakes; or, The 'Flying Dutchman' of the Big Fresh Water", 1912, Altemus.

The Grammar School Boys Series

• "The Grammar School Boys Of Gridley; or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving", 1911, Altemus.
• "The Grammar School Boys Snowbound; or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports" 1911, Altemus.
• "The Grammar School Boys In The Woods; or, Dick & Co.'s Trail Fun and Knowledge", 1911, Altemus.
• "The Grammar School Boys In Summer Athletics; or, Dick & Co., Make Their Fame Secure", 1911, Altemus.

Many of these books were reprinted by the Saafield Company after the Henry Altemus Company closed. The Altemus books were generally better quality.

The Invasion of the United States Series

This series, published in 1916, describes a fictional German invasion of the U.S. in 1920–21.

• 1) "The Invasion of the United States; or, Uncle Sam's Boys at the Capture of Boston", Altemus, 1916
• 2) "In the Battle for New York; or, Uncle Sam's Boys in the Desperate Struggle for the Metropolis", Altemus, 1916
• 3) "At the Defense of Pittsburgh; or, The Struggle to Save America's 'Fighting Steel' Supply", Altemus, 1916
• 4) "Making the Last Stand for Old Glory; or, Uncle Sam's Boys in the Last Frantic Drive", Altemus, 1916

Uncle Sam's Boys Series

• "Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks: or, Two Recruits in the United States Army"
• "Uncle Sam's Boys on Field Duty: or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons"
• "Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants: or, Handling Their First Real Commands"
• "Uncle Sam's Boys in the Philippines: or, Following the Flag Against the Moros"
• "Uncle Sam's Boys on their Mettle: or, a Chance to Win Officers' Commissions"
• "Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants: or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers"
• "Uncle Sam's Boys with Pershing's Troops at the Front: or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche"
• "Uncle Sam's Boys Smash the Germans: or, Helping the Allies Wind Up the Great World War"

Detective Books

• "Detective Johnson of New Orleans" (J. S. Ogilive 1891)
• “His Evil Eye” (J.S. Ogilive, 1891)
• “Inspector Henderson, The Central Office Detective,” (J.S. Ogilive Publishing Company – no date given, but refers to "His Evil Eye”—so after 1891)
• “Black-Mail, A Central Office Problem" (Smith and Street, 1899)

The Annapolis Series

• "Dave Darrin's First Year at Annapolis" 1910, Altemus
• "Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis" 1911, Altemus
• "Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis" 1911, Altemus
• "Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis" 1911, Altemus

The Dave Darrin Series

• "Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz" 1914, Altemus
• "Dave Darrin After the Mine Layers" 1919, Altemus
• "Dave Darrin's South American Cruise" 1919, Altemus
• "Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service" 1919, Altemus
• "Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station" 1919, Altemus
• "Dave Darrin and the German Submarines" 1919, Altemus

The West Point Series

• "Dick Prescott's First Year at West Point"
• "Dick Prescott's Second Year at West Point: Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life"
• "Dick Prescott's Third Year at West Point: Standing Firm for Flag and Honor"
• "Dick Prescott's Fourth Year at West Point: Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps"

Other Books

• Physical fitness books (for Business Men, for Women, for Children, etc.)
• "Jiu-Jitsu Combat Tricks: Japanese Feats of Attack & Defense in Personal Encounter"
• "The Complete Kano Jiu-Jitsu (Judo)" (1905), originally published by G. P. Putnam & Sons; still in print by Dover.
• "Aguinaldo's Hostage"
• "What One Man Saw"
• "Life at West Point"
• "Chuggins: the Youngest Hero With the Army: a Tale of the Capture of Santiago" (in Cuba).
• "Bountyville Boys" (D. Appleton and Company, 1907).

Hancock might also have written the Submarine Boys series of young adult books using the pen name Victor G. Durham.

Partial List of Magazine Stories and Articles

• "The Great Tan-To; or Dick Brent’s Adventures in Up-to-Date Japan".
• "Ku-Klux; The Three Strangers and the Georgia Moonshines" in Golden Hours, August 3, 1895.
• "Fighting in the Philippines; A Real American Boy's Share in Founding Our New Empire", in Golden Hours, October 7, 1899.
• A series of stories featuring Frank Manley appeared in Young Athlete's Weekly and Frank Manley's Weekly in 1905 and 1906.
• "Under the Ban of Li Shoon", Detective Story Magazine, Vol. 4, No. 3, cover date August 5, 1916.
• "Li Shoon's Deadliest Mission", Detective Story Magazine, September 5, 1916
• Other Li Shoon stories were published in that magazine in 1917
• "Don'ts for U.S. Soldiers" (a guide for the U. S. Doughboys headed to France), 1917.