Name/Title
Desk and DebitEntry/Object ID
SM.1971.1.387Tags
1870sDescription
Morality story of coming of age of young boy in nineteenth century America. William Taylor Adams, American author better known and loved by boys and girls through his pseudonym Oliver Optic, was born July 30, 1822 in the town of Medway, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, about twenty-five miles from Boston.He then turned to teaching, where for twenty years he taught in the Public Schools of Boston. There he came in close contact with boys' life and he learned how to reach the boyys' interest and heart. When he was twenty-eight years old he began to write stories and published his first book in 1853; in 1865 William began writing full time, and throughout his lifetime published about 126 books and more than 1000 stories (always using a pseudonym). His stories often led his heroes through great and sometimes improbable, yet educational, adventures. During these busy writing years he made time to serve on a school committee and, for one year (1869), served as a state legislator (he declined a renomination for a second term). William also wrote numerous articles for periodicals during his many years of writing, mostly without pay. His biggest success in article writing was through the magazine which used his pseudonym Oliver Optic. This, however, was not his only pen name. To name just a few: "Doctor Optic", "Irving Brown", "Clingham Hunter, M.D.", and at times "Old Stager". He never wrote using his own name.
Maroon cloth hardcover with gold embossed title and author information on spine. Blind embossed zigzag border around front and back cover. 6 7/8 inches high X4.75 inches wide. 334 pagesCollection
Sutliff Family Collection
