Harriet Adams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harriet Adams
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | Harriet Stratemeyer Adams December 12, 1892 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | March 27, 1982 (aged 89) Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Pen name | Carolyn Keene |
| Occupation | Novelist, publisher |
| Genre | Young adult mystery fiction |
| Notable works | Nancy Drew series |
Harriet Stratemeyer Adams (born December 12, 1892 – died March 27, 1982) was an American writer and publisher. She created about 200 books during her career. She is best known for writing the plot ideas for many books in the famous Nancy Drew series. Her father, Edward Stratemeyer, first created the characters for these books.
Harriet Adams also managed other writers, called ghostwriters, who wrote for the Nancy Drew series and many other book series. These books were part of a company called the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Starting in the late 1950s, she also updated many of the older novels to make them more modern.
The Stratemeyer Syndicate
After her father, Edward Stratemeyer, passed away in 1930, Harriet Adams and her sister, Edna, took over the Stratemeyer Syndicate. This company was like a book factory, creating many popular series for young readers. Edna managed the daily business, while Harriet worked with publishers and wrote.
When Edna got married in 1942, Harriet took full control of the business. Harriet Adams is praised for keeping the Syndicate successful even during the Great Depression, a time when many businesses struggled. She also updated two of the most popular series, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, in the 1950s and 1960s. She removed old stereotypes and made the stories and characters simpler and more exciting. She led the Syndicate for 52 years.
Harriet Adams and Nancy Drew
The very popular Nancy Drew mystery books were first thought of by Harriet's father. He created the main characters: Nancy, a young detective; her lawyer father; and their housekeeper. Later, Nancy's age was changed from sixteen to eighteen to give her more freedom to solve mysteries.
Harriet Adams came up with many of the plot ideas for the Nancy Drew books. She then hired ghostwriters to write the actual stories based on her ideas. The most famous Nancy Drew books were mainly written by Mildred Wirt Benson. All these books were published under the pen name Carolyn Keene. Harriet Adams also outlined some books in the Hardy Boys series, which were published under the name Franklin W. Dixon.
Even though Harriet Adams sometimes said she wrote all the Nancy Drew books herself, it is known that Mildred Wirt Benson and 28 other authors did the actual writing. They followed Adams's ideas and added their own details. Harriet Adams would then check and polish the finished stories.
Harriet's Life Story
Harriet Stratemeyer was born in Newark, New Jersey, on December 12, 1892. Her parents were Edward Stratemeyer and Magdalena Van Camp. From a young age, Harriet wanted to be more than just a "proper young lady" who stayed at home. She loved climbing trees, playing with local boys, and reading books.
She went to Wellesley College and graduated in 1914. Her father did not want her to work outside their home, so she edited books there. In 1915, she married Russell Vroom Adams. They had four children. She became deeply involved in her family's book business only after her father passed away.
Harriet Adams lived in Maplewood, New Jersey, and later in Pottersville, New Jersey, which is part of Tewksbury Township. She passed away from a heart attack while watching The Wizard of Oz for the first time.
She was buried in the Stratemeyer family crypt at Fairmount Cemetery in Newark.
See also
- In Spanish: Harriet Adams para niños
