Laurie York Erskine
Encyclopedia
Laurie York Erskine was a popular boys adventure author, educator, and co-founder of the Solebury School
in New Hope, Pennsylvania
, United States
.
, Scotland to actors Wallace Erskine and Ada Margery Bonney Erskine. The family travelled to the United States in 1901 where both parents appeared in silent films.
In 1916 Laurie Erskine was commissioned in the Royal Flying Corps
where he served in France. Following his demobilisation, Erskine was an editorial writer with the Detroit News from 1921–1922, until he began writing stories for boys in 1921. His most famous work was a series of books featuring Renfrew of the Royal Mounted
that later became a radio, film, and television series with Erskine himself narrating the radio show. Erskine also created and narrated the radio program "Adventure Stories".
Erskine was a staff writer with the Battle Creek, Michigan Enquirer newspaper. In 1925 he was one of the 4 organisers of the Solebury School for Boys in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
At the start of World War II
, Erskine was commissioned in the Army of the United States
Coast Artillery eventually becoming a Major in the 38th Anti-Aircraft Brigade from 1944-45. He was awarded the Bronze Star
and was discharged in 1946. During his Army service Erskine wrote the texts for the United States Armed Forces Institute course for American citizenship.
Erskine's writing subsided as he channeled his energy into developing the Solebury Method for Teaching Composition. His name lives on as a literary prize for students at Solebury School.
Solebury School
Solebury School is a co-educational college preparatory day and boarding school located on a campus in Solebury Township, Pennsylvania . There are currently 230 day and boarding students enrolled...
in New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, formerly known as Coryell's Ferry, is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 2,528 at the 2010 census. The borough lies on the west bank of the Delaware River at its confluence with Aquetong Creek. A two-lane bridge carries automobile and foot traffic across the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Biography
Erskine was born in KirkcudbrightKirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright, is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.The town lies south of Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie, in the part of Dumfries and Galloway known as the Stewartry, at the mouth of the River Dee, some six miles from the sea...
, Scotland to actors Wallace Erskine and Ada Margery Bonney Erskine. The family travelled to the United States in 1901 where both parents appeared in silent films.
In 1916 Laurie Erskine was commissioned in the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
where he served in France. Following his demobilisation, Erskine was an editorial writer with the Detroit News from 1921–1922, until he began writing stories for boys in 1921. His most famous work was a series of books featuring Renfrew of the Royal Mounted
Renfrew of the Royal Mounted
Renfrew of the Royal Mounted was a popular series of boy's adventure books written by Laurie York Erskine that later were filmed and became a series on both radio and television.-Canon:...
that later became a radio, film, and television series with Erskine himself narrating the radio show. Erskine also created and narrated the radio program "Adventure Stories".
Erskine was a staff writer with the Battle Creek, Michigan Enquirer newspaper. In 1925 he was one of the 4 organisers of the Solebury School for Boys in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
At the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Erskine was commissioned in the Army of the United States
Army of the United States
The Army of the United States is the official name for the conscription force of the United States Army that may be raised at the discretion of the United States Congress in the event of the United States entering into a major armed conflict...
Coast Artillery eventually becoming a Major in the 38th Anti-Aircraft Brigade from 1944-45. He was awarded the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
and was discharged in 1946. During his Army service Erskine wrote the texts for the United States Armed Forces Institute course for American citizenship.
Erskine's writing subsided as he channeled his energy into developing the Solebury Method for Teaching Composition. His name lives on as a literary prize for students at Solebury School.