Edward Streeter
Encyclopedia
Edward Streeter was an American
novelist and journalist, best known for the 1949 novel Father of the Bride
and his Dere Mable series.
Streeter began his career as a reporter for the Buffalo newspaper the Buffalo Express as a war correspondent and travel writer. He grew in notoriety with his "Dere Mable" letters, a humorous column from an illiterate soldier writing home. Serialized between 1917 and 1919 in the "Gas Attack", they were inspired by Streeter's time spent on an army
base (Camp Wadsworth, near Spartansburg SC) during World War I
. The humorous letters were compiled in 1919
in Streeter's full-length books Dere Mable and Thats me all over, Mable.
After returning home from the war, Streeter pursued writing casually, deciding to focus on his work as a businessman. For eight years he served as assistant vice president
, before transitioning to the Fifth Avenue Bank
in New York City, (later, The Bank of New York) where he served as vice president for twenty-five years.
While serving as VP of the bank, Streeter published short stories and articles in magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post and McCall's
. In 1938
, he published his first novel, Daily Except Sundays. In 1944 he was elected to The Century Association, and remained a member for 32 years. He waited another five years, however, before publishing his next novel. Published in 1949
, the comic satire Father of the Bride
became an instant bestseller and was listed among The New York Times list of bestselling novels for the year. The following year, it was adapted into a successful film
starring Spencer Tracy
and Elizabeth Taylor
.
After his breakthrough success, Streeter continued to write successful novels. Of the most notable of his subsequent works are Mr. Hobbs' Vacation
(1954, filmed in 1962), Merry Christmas Mr. Baxter
(1956), and Chairman of the Bored (1961). He finished his writing career with 1969
's grim semi-autobiographical Ham Martin, Class of '17.
In all of his novels, Streeter showed remarkable perception into human nature, and a wonderfully erudite dry wit. If there is a basic theme to his main characters, it is that they are usually men who feel put-upon, but eventually realize that they are taking themselves much too seriously (Father of the Bride, Merry Christmas Mr. Baxter, and Mr. Hobbs' Vacation are typical examples.)
Streeter died on March 31, 1976.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
novelist and journalist, best known for the 1949 novel Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride may refer to the following:*Father of the Bride , starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, and Elizabeth Taylor*Father of the Bride , remake of the 1950 film, starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton and Martin Short...
and his Dere Mable series.
Streeter began his career as a reporter for the Buffalo newspaper the Buffalo Express as a war correspondent and travel writer. He grew in notoriety with his "Dere Mable" letters, a humorous column from an illiterate soldier writing home. Serialized between 1917 and 1919 in the "Gas Attack", they were inspired by Streeter's time spent on an army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
base (Camp Wadsworth, near Spartansburg SC) during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The humorous letters were compiled in 1919
1919 in literature
The year 1919 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Winifred Holtby and Vera Brittain return to Somerville College, Oxford, to complete their education following war service.*Two paintings by E. E...
in Streeter's full-length books Dere Mable and Thats me all over, Mable.
After returning home from the war, Streeter pursued writing casually, deciding to focus on his work as a businessman. For eight years he served as assistant vice president
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
, before transitioning to the Fifth Avenue Bank
Bank of New York
The Bank of New York was a global financial services company established in 1784 by the American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. It existed until its merger with the Mellon Financial Corporation on July 2, 2007...
in New York City, (later, The Bank of New York) where he served as vice president for twenty-five years.
While serving as VP of the bank, Streeter published short stories and articles in magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post and McCall's
McCall's
McCall's was a monthly American women's magazine that enjoyed great popularity through much of the 20th century, peaking at a readership of 8.4 million in the early 1960s. It was established as a small-format magazine called The Queen in 1873...
. In 1938
1938 in literature
The year 1938 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* The trilogy, U.S.A. by John Dos Passos, is published containing his three novels The 42nd Parallel , 1919 , and The Big Money ....
, he published his first novel, Daily Except Sundays. In 1944 he was elected to The Century Association, and remained a member for 32 years. He waited another five years, however, before publishing his next novel. Published in 1949
1949 in literature
The year 1949 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Arthur C. Clarke becomes Assistant Editor of Science Abstracts.*Bertrand Russell receives the Order of Merit....
, the comic satire Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride may refer to the following:*Father of the Bride , starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, and Elizabeth Taylor*Father of the Bride , remake of the 1950 film, starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton and Martin Short...
became an instant bestseller and was listed among The New York Times list of bestselling novels for the year. The following year, it was adapted into a successful film
Father of the Bride (1950 film)
Father of the Bride is a 1950 American comedy film about a man trying to cope with preparations for his daughter's upcoming wedding. The movie stars Spencer Tracy in the titular role, Joan Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor, Don Taylor, Billie Burke, and Leo G. Carroll. It was adapted by Frances Goodrich...
starring Spencer Tracy
Spencer Tracy
Spencer Bonaventure Tracy was an American theatrical and film actor, who appeared in 75 films from 1930 to 1967. Tracy was one of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, ranking among the top ten box office draws for almost every year from 1938 to 1951...
and Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
.
After his breakthrough success, Streeter continued to write successful novels. Of the most notable of his subsequent works are Mr. Hobbs' Vacation
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation is a 1962 American comedy film directed by Henry Koster and starring James Stewart and Maureen O'Hara. The film is based on a novel by Edward Streeter and features a popular singer of the time, Fabian.- Plot :Mr...
(1954, filmed in 1962), Merry Christmas Mr. Baxter
Merry Christmas Mr. Baxter
"Merry Christmas Mr. Baxter" was a novel written and published in 1956 by American author Edward Streeter. It was preceded in his list of novels by "Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation" in 1954, and followed by "Mr. Robbins Rides Again" in 1957...
(1956), and Chairman of the Bored (1961). He finished his writing career with 1969
1969 in literature
The year 1969 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* The first Booker Prize is awarded.* "Penelope Ashe", author of the bestselling novel Naked Came the Stranger, is found to be several people who each took a turn writing a chapter of what they described as "junk" in...
's grim semi-autobiographical Ham Martin, Class of '17.
In all of his novels, Streeter showed remarkable perception into human nature, and a wonderfully erudite dry wit. If there is a basic theme to his main characters, it is that they are usually men who feel put-upon, but eventually realize that they are taking themselves much too seriously (Father of the Bride, Merry Christmas Mr. Baxter, and Mr. Hobbs' Vacation are typical examples.)
Streeter died on March 31, 1976.
External links
- http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/fales/streeter2.htmlGuide to The Edward Streeter Papers in the Fales LibraryFales LibraryNew York University's Fales Library and Special Collections is located on the third floor of the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library at 70 Washington Square South between LaGuardia Place and the Schwartz Plaza, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It houses nearly 200,000...
of NYU]