Will Oursler
Encyclopedia
Will Oursler was an American author, lecturer and radio commentator, and the son of noted novelist and playwright Fulton Oursler
. He frequently wrote and spoke on religious and inspirational subjects.
Born July 12, 1913, in Baltimore, Maryland, his family soon moved to New York City
where Will grew up and attended school. After a brief stint at art school (Oursler attended the Art Students League of New York
), he decided to complete college and graduated cum laude from Harvard University
in 1937. After graduation, Oursler worked on the staffs of various Boston
newspapers and began writing in earnest. His first book, The Trial of Vincent Doon, was published in 1941, followed by Folio on Florence White in 1942.
Oursler served as a war correspondent for Fawcett Publications
during World War II
. After the war, he began contributing numerous articles and short stories to well known magazines such as Collier's and Reader's Digest
. Oursler also wrote non-fiction as well as novels and mysteries; non-fiction titles include Father Flanagan of Boys' Town about Father Edward J. Flanagan's work with young men (in collaboration with his father), The Boy Scout Story
, The Murderers (with Harry Anslinger), and The Road to Faith. N.Y. N.Y. is perhaps Oursler's best known novel.
Over the course of his career Oursler wrote more than 45 books including 12 mystery novels. He was vice-president of the Mystery Writers of America
, a founding commodore of the Overseas Yacht Club, and president of the Overseas Press Club
from 1970 to 1972. His autobiography, Family Story, was published in 1963.
Oursler also wrote under the names Gale Gallagher and Nick Marino.
Fulton Oursler
Charles Fulton Oursler was an American journalist, playwright, editor and writer. Writing as Anthony Abbot, he was an notable author of mysteries and detective fiction.-Life:...
. He frequently wrote and spoke on religious and inspirational subjects.
Born July 12, 1913, in Baltimore, Maryland, his family soon moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where Will grew up and attended school. After a brief stint at art school (Oursler attended the Art Students League of New York
Art Students League of New York
The Art Students League of New York is an art school located on West 57th Street in New York City. The League has historically been known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists, and has maintained for over 130 years a tradition of offering reasonably priced classes on a...
), he decided to complete college and graduated cum laude from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1937. After graduation, Oursler worked on the staffs of various Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
newspapers and began writing in earnest. His first book, The Trial of Vincent Doon, was published in 1941, followed by Folio on Florence White in 1942.
Oursler served as a war correspondent for Fawcett Publications
Fawcett Publications
Fawcett Publications was an American publishing company founded in 1919 in Robbinsdale, Minnesota by Wilford Hamilton "Captain Billy" Fawcett . At the age of 16, Fawcett ran away from home to join the Army, and the Spanish-American War took him to the Philippines. Back in Minnesota, he became a...
during 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...
. After the war, he began contributing numerous articles and short stories to well known magazines such as Collier's and Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
. Oursler also wrote non-fiction as well as novels and mysteries; non-fiction titles include Father Flanagan of Boys' Town about Father Edward J. Flanagan's work with young men (in collaboration with his father), The Boy Scout Story
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, The Murderers (with Harry Anslinger), and The Road to Faith. N.Y. N.Y. is perhaps Oursler's best known novel.
Over the course of his career Oursler wrote more than 45 books including 12 mystery novels. He was vice-president of the Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America is an organization for mystery writers, based in New York.The organization was founded in 1945 by Clayton Rawson, Anthony Boucher, Lawrence Treat, and Brett Halliday....
, a founding commodore of the Overseas Yacht Club, and president of the Overseas Press Club
Overseas Press Club
The Overseas Press Club of America was founded in 1939 in New York City by a group of foreign correspondents. The wire service reporter Carol Weld was a founding member...
from 1970 to 1972. His autobiography, Family Story, was published in 1963.
Oursler also wrote under the names Gale Gallagher and Nick Marino.
External links
- Will Oursler Papers at Syracuse University