Object Details
- Benson, Mildred Wirt
- Underwood Typewriter Company
- Description
- Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson (1905-2002) used this Underwood Model 5 typewriter in her career as a writer and journalist, most notably as the first ghostwriter for the Nancy Drew mystery series.
- Benson wrote for the Toledo Times and Toledo Blade newspapers, and under a variety of pseudoynms, authored over 130 books. As "Caroline Keene" she wrote 23 of the first 30 Nancy Drew titles, including the first, 1930s ,Secret of the Old Clock.
- Teenage sleuth Nancy Drew was the invention of Edward Stratemeyer, head of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, producer of such children's adventure series as Tom Swift, The Bobbsey Twins, and the Hardy Boys. In order to produce titles quickly and in volume, Stratemeyer would conceive of characters and plots, then hire ghost writers to finish the stories. The titles would then be published under pseudonyms, appearing as the product of a single author.
- Wanting something similar in nature to adolescent detectives The Hardy Boys, but for young women, Stratemeyer devised Nancy Drew, giving Benson an outline of the heroine and a handful of storylines. Benson, paid $125 per story, wrote the first seven volumes in the series, and continued to produce most of its titles until 1953.
- The author has been credited for developing the personality of Nancy Drew, turning the female investigator into one of the most popular protagonists in the history of American children's literature. At a time when women had only recently won the right to vote, Benson instilled Drew with confidence, determination, and independence. In interviews the author would remark, that at the time, although a new concept to many, she "just naturally thought girls could do the things boys could do."
- Young readers readily agreed, devouring over 175 Nancy Drew Mysteries in the first series (1947-2003,) with new titles continuing to be produced. Over the years, the older books have been reworked to keep them relevant to contemporary children. The character's popularity has led to her being featured in numerous movies, television series, video games, and graphic novels.
- Benson's role in the success of Nancy Drew was unknown until 1980, when court testimony from a publisher's dispute revealed her status as the first author in the series. After, many noted similarities between author and character, as Benson, the first person to achieve a master's degree in journalism at the State University of Iowa, had an adventurous side that included visiting remote archeological sites and becoming an accomplished aviator. However, Benson modestly claimed, "I didn't consciously make [Nancy Drew] like myself. I made her good looking, smart and a perfectionist. I made her into the girl I'd like to be."
- In addition to Nancy Drew, Mildred Benson wrote many other books for children, likely many on this typewriter. These include the Kay Tracy Mystery Stories (as Francis K. Judd); The Dana Girls Mystery Stores (as Carolyn Keene); the Ruth Fielding series (as Alice B. Emerson); and The Penny Nichol's Mystery Stories (as Joan Clark). Under her own name she wrote for such series such as The Brownie Scouts; Dan Carter Cub Scout; Girl Scout, The Penny Parker Mystery Stories; The Ruth Darrow Flying Stories; and the Mildred A. Wirt Mystery Stories.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Mildred Wirt Benson
- 1896 - 1923
- ID Number
- 1992.0296.01
- catalog number
- 1992.0296.01
- accession number
- 1992.0296
- Object Name
- typewriter
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- wood (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 9 in x 15 1/2 in x 12 1/4 in; 22.86 cm x 39.37 cm x 31.115 cm
- overall: 24.5 cm x 42 cm x 32 cm; 9 21/32 in x 16 17/32 in x 12 19/32 in
- place made
- United States
- used
- United States: Ohio, Toledo
- See more items in
- Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
- Typewriters
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Typewriter
- Children's Literature
- Record ID
- nmah_1132180
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-b146-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
