Mildred Wirt Benson was sworn to secrecy and couldn’t reveal she had written the first twenty-three Nancy Drew Mysteries. there is no person Carolyn Keene! What?
Carolyn Keene was a pseudonym for ghostwriters of Nancy Drew Mysteries but Mildred Wirt Benson (1905-2022) wrote the first 23! (Click to read article)
Did you ever read a Nancy Drew mystery? Here’s another article about Carolyne Keene and the the syndicate behind the authors.
She died in 2002. She can finally RIP, she made it to Ruth’s blog. dc
Yes
Yes, many, as did my sisters.
The school allowed students 15 minutes once a week at the school library. I always came out with Nancy Drew books.
I loved Nancy Drew and the Bobbsey Twins! And I think Mildred Benson should have gotten credit for the ones she wrote!
My favorite books as a child and the reason I still enjoy mysteries today. And, yes, I knew Carolyn Keene was a pseudonym, although I didn’t recall the author’s name. We’re never too old to learn.
Fascinating, thanks. I loved Nancy Drew and those stories inspired me to write my own series.
I read Nancy Drew books. Also Trixie Belden books (which were written by various authors but attributed to the pseudonym Kathryn Kenny.)
I probably read all of the Nancy Drew books she wrote.
Hmm, I wonder why she was required to give up her name to the Nancy Drew empire? RIP Mildred; we know it’s you now!