Samuel Hopkins Adams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Hopkins Adams
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Adams in 1922
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| Born | January 26, 1871 |
| Died | November 16, 1958 (aged 87) |
| Education | Hamilton College |
| Occupation | Author, journalist |
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Samuel Hopkins Adams (born January 26, 1871 – died November 16, 1958) was an American writer. He was known for being an investigative journalist and a "muckraker". A muckraker was a journalist who wrote about problems in society to make people aware of them.
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Early Life and Education
Samuel Hopkins Adams was born in Dunkirk, New York. His father, Myron Adams, Jr., was a minister. Samuel went to Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, from 1887 to 1891. He also studied for a short time at Union College.
Career as a Journalist
Samuel Hopkins Adams started his career as a reporter for the New York Sun newspaper in 1891. Later, he joined McClure's Magazine. Here, he became known as a muckraker. He wrote articles that showed problems with public health in the United States.
In 1905, Adams started writing for Collier's magazine. He wrote a series of 11 articles called "The Great American Fraud." In these articles, he showed that many "patent medicines" (medicines sold without a doctor's prescription) made false promises. He proved that some of these medicines were actually harmful.
His articles had a big impact. They helped lead to the creation of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. This law made sure that food and medicines were safer and honestly labeled.
Later, Adams continued to fight against misleading advertising. He wrote a novel called The Clarion (1914). This book criticized how newspapers advertised products. It led to more articles about protecting consumers in the New York Tribune newspaper.
Famous Books and Stories
Samuel Hopkins Adams wrote many books and stories. He wrote both fiction and non-fiction.
One of his short stories, "Night Bus" (1933), was turned into a famous movie called It Happened One Night (1934). This movie won several Academy Awards.
His novel The Harvey Girls (1942) was also made into a movie musical in 1946. It starred the famous actress Judy Garland.
Adams also wrote a series of detective stories about a character named Average Jones. Average Jones investigated strange or fake advertisements.
Some of his other well-known books include:
- The Mystery (1907)
- The Secret of Lonesome Cove (1912)
- The Clarion (1914)
- Revelry (1926), which was based on scandals from the time of President Harding.
- Incredible Era (1939), a biography about President Harding.
- Grandfather Stories (1955)
He also wrote books for the Landmark Series, which are historical books for young readers. These include The Pony Express (1950), The Santa Fe Trail (1952), and The Erie Canal (1953).
His last book, Tenderloin (1959), was published after he passed away. It was later made into a musical.
Later Years and Legacy
Samuel Hopkins Adams spent his winters in Beaufort, South Carolina. He passed away there on November 16, 1958, at the age of 87.
His writings and papers are kept in important libraries. These include Syracuse University, Hamilton College, and Harvard University.
Selected Filmography
Many of Samuel Hopkins Adams's stories and novels were made into movies:
- Wandering Fires (1925)
- Summer Bachelors (1926)
- The Wild Party (1929)
- What Men Want (1930)
- Men in Her Life (1931)
- Week Ends Only (1932)
- It Happened One Night (1934)
- The Harvey Girls (1946)
