Harriet Adams
Encyclopedia
Harriet Stratemeyer Adams (December 11, 1892 – March 27, 1982) was an American
juvenile mystery novelist and publisher who authored some 200 books over her literary career. She wrote many books in the Nancy Drew
series (under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene
) and a few in the Hardy Boys series (under the pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon
). She also oversaw other ghostwriter
s who wrote for these and many other series.
She was born in Newark, New Jersey
, the daughter of Edward Stratemeyer
. With her sister, Edna, she took over control of the Stratemeyer Syndicate
upon his death in 1930. Adams is primarily credited with keeping the Syndicate afloat through the Great Depression
, and with revising the two most popular series, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, in the 1950s and 1960s, removing stereotypes and outdated ideas and language.
Adams graduated from Wellesley College in 1914. She resided in Maplewood, New Jersey
, and in Pottersville, New Jersey
, an area within Bedminster Township
.
Adams was interred in Fairmount Cemetery
in Newark.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
juvenile mystery novelist and publisher who authored some 200 books over her literary career. She wrote many books in the Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew is a fictional young amateur detective in various mystery series for all ages. She was created by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate book packaging firm. The character first appeared in 1930. The books have been ghostwritten by a number of authors and are published...
series (under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene
Carolyn Keene
Carolyn Keene is the pseudonym of the authors of the Nancy Drew mystery stories and The Dana Girls mystery stories, both produced by the Stratemeyer Syndicate...
) and a few in the Hardy Boys series (under the pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon
Franklin W. Dixon
Franklin W. Dixon is the pen name used by a variety of different authors who wrote The Hardy Boys novels for the Stratemeyer Syndicate...
). She also oversaw other ghostwriter
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
s who wrote for these and many other series.
She was born in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, the daughter of Edward Stratemeyer
Edward Stratemeyer
Edward Stratemeyer was an American publisher and writer of books for children.He is one of the most prolific writers in the world, producing in excess of 1300 books himself, selling in excess of 500 million copies, and created the well-known fictional book series for juveniles including The Rover...
. With her sister, Edna, she took over control of the Stratemeyer Syndicate
Stratemeyer Syndicate
The Stratemeyer Syndicate was the producer of a number of mystery series for children, including Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, the various Tom Swift series, the Bobbsey Twins, the Rover Boys, and others.- History :...
upon his death in 1930. Adams is primarily credited with keeping the Syndicate afloat through the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, and with revising the two most popular series, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, in the 1950s and 1960s, removing stereotypes and outdated ideas and language.
Adams graduated from Wellesley College in 1914. She resided in Maplewood, New Jersey
Maplewood, New Jersey
Maplewood is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 23,867.-History:...
, and in Pottersville, New Jersey
Pottersville, New Jersey
Pottersville is an unincorporated area split within Bedminster Township in Somerset County and Tewksbury Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States...
, an area within Bedminster Township
Bedminster Township, New Jersey
Bedminster Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 8,165....
.
Adams was interred in Fairmount Cemetery
Fairmount Cemetery, Newark
thumb|190px|The Krueger Mausoleumthumb|190px|The Setters' MonumentFairmount Cemetery is a Victorian cemetery in the West Ward of Newark, New Jersey, in the neighborhood of Fairmount. It opened in 1855, shortly after the Newark City Council banned burials in the central city due to fears that...
in Newark.