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Gilbert Patten

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Gilbert Patten
Born
William George Patten

(1866-10-25)October 25, 1866
Corinna, Maine, US
DiedJanuary 16, 1945(1945-01-16) (aged 78)
Vista, California, US
Resting place
Ridgewood's Valleau Cemetery
EducationCorinna Union Academy
OccupationAuthor
Spouses
  • Alice Gardner
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1886; div. 1898)​
  • Mary Nunn
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1900; div. 1916)​
  • Carol Kramer
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1918; death 1938)​
    [1]
Children2
Writing career
Pen nameGilbert Patten, Burt L. Standish, Herbert Bellwood, Julian St. Dare, William West Wilder[1]
Years active1886-1930
Genredime novels

William George "Gilbert" Patten (October 25, 1866 – January 16, 1945) was a writer of dime novels and is best known as author of the Frank Merriwell stories, with the pen name Burt L. Standish.

Biography

[edit]
Frank Merriwell's Discovery on the cover of Tip Top Weekly (1900)
Tip Top Films produced the 1910 film Frank Merriwell in Arizona; or, The Mystery of the Mine
Poster for Frank Merriwell in Arizona (1910)

Gilbert Patten was born in Corinna, Maine in 1866. His father, a carpenter, and his mother were deeply religious pacifists. They were Seventh Day Adventists.[2] He entered Corinna Union Academy at fourteen, but when his father threatened that he would be put to work if he did not improve at school, Patten ran away to Biddeford, Maine where he worked in a machine shop. When he returned home and told his father that he would become an author, he was given thirty days to prove himself. He sold his first two stories in this period to the dime novel company of Erastus Flavel Beadle, and combined his resumed studies for the next four years with writing and publishing stories. When he was twenty, he married his schoolmate Alice Gardner on 25 October 1886. Their son Harvan Barr Patten was born in 1892. They divorced in 1898 and Gilbert Patten remarried to Mary Nunn of Baltimore (1900–1916) and he married a third time to Carol Kramer in 1918 until her death in 1938.[1] [3]

Patten worked at the Pittsfield Advertiser before creating in 1888 his own newspaper, the Corinna Owl. He sold it the next year to the Advertiser, and devoted his time to the stories, mostly westerns, for Beadle's Half-Dime Library.[3]

Meanwhile, he managed a semi-professional baseball team in 1890–1891 in Camden, Maine before leaving for New York City.[4] But after this season he again mostly worked as an author, working for Norman Munro, and for most of his career for Street & Smith.[5]

He was a writer of dime novels. His first published dime novel was The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, published in 1886 by Beadle.[6] He wrote westerns with the pen name Wyoming Bill,[7] but is best known for his sporting stories in the Frank Merriwell series, written as Burt L. Standish. Patten started writing the Merriwell stories in April 1896 for the publisher Street & Smith and produced one each week, at a length of twenty thousand words, for twenty years. The series, which appeared in Tip-Top Weekly, was immensely popular, selling some 135,000 copies a week, and the brothers Frank and Dick Merriwell became icons of All-American sportsmanship, entering the jargon of sports commentators.[8][9] Patten, however, never received any royalties for them, being paid up to $150 per story as a hack writer. The series was originally inspired by the success of the British Penny Dreadfuls like Jack Harkaway.[10] Gibert Patten also contributed to the Frank Merriwell comic strip from 1928, and supervised the 1934 NBC radio series.[11] In 1893, he hired Edward Stratemeyer as a writer for the Street & Smith publication Good News.[12] From 1927 to 1930, Gilbert Patten would start a new series of Frank Merriwell stories, aided now by a few ghostwriters. In 1930, Patten started his own publication, The Dime Novel, but only one issue appeared.[13] Apart from the Merriwell stories, Patten wrote 75 complete novels and an unknown number of stories. He estimated that he had written 40 million words as an author.[14] In total, some 500 million of his books were in print,[15] making him one of the best-selling fiction authors of all time.

He lived most of his life in Camden, Maine, but moved to California in 1941. He died aged 78 in his sleep at the home of his son H. V. Patten in Vista, California in 1945.[16]

Partial bibliography

[edit]
Cover of Frank Merriwell's Pursuit, by Burt L. Standish

As himself

[edit]
  • The Diamond Sport, 1886, 1 story
  • Violet Vane, 8 stories between 1889 and 1892
  • The Deadwood Trail, 1 novel published by D. Appleton and Co. in 1904
  • Football stories in Popular Magazine, a Street & Smith publication (1903)
  • Cliff Stirling or Clif Sterling, a series of five sporting novels published by David McKay between 1910 and 1916
  • Jack Lockwill, a 1927-1928 comic strip, different illustrators

The College Life Series

[edit]
  1. Boltwood of Yale (1914)
  2. The College Rebel (1914)
  3. On College Battlefields (1917)
  4. The Call of the Varsity (1920)
  5. Sons of Old Eli (1923)
  6. Ben Oakman, Stroke (1925)

As Burt L. Standish

[edit]
  • NEW Tip Top Weekly: An Ideal Publication For The American Youth
  • Frank Merriwell, 209 dime novels between 1896 and 1930 (some between 1927 and 1930 written by other authors with the same pen name), 28 of them reprinted as hard covers
  • Big League, 16 episodes of baseball stories

The following are the first 143 titles of the Merriwell series (Stories of Frank and Dick Merriwell)

  1. Frank Merriwell's School Days By Burt L. Standish
  2. Frank Merriwell's Chums By Burt L. Standish
  3. Frank Merriwell's Foes By Burt L. Standish
  4. Frank Merriwell's Trip West By Burt L. Standish
  5. Frank Merriwell Down South By Burt L. Standish
  6. Frank Merriwell's Bravery By Burt L. Standish
  7. Frank Merriwell's Hunting Tour By Burt L. Standish
  8. Frank Merriwell in Europe By Burt L. Standish
  9. Frank Merriwell at Yale By Burt L. Standish
  10. Frank Merriwell's Sports Afield By Burt L. Standish
  11. Frank Merriwell's Races By Burt L. Standish
  12. Frank Merriwell's Party By Burt L. Standish
  13. Frank Merriwell's Bicycle Tour By Burt L. Standish
  14. Frank Merriwell's Courage By Burt L. Standish
  15. Frank Merriwell's Daring By Burt L. Standish
  16. Frank Merriwell's Alarm By Burt L. Standish
  17. Frank Merriwell's Athletes By Burt L. Standish
  18. Frank Merriwell's Skill By Burt L. Standish
  19. Frank Merriwell's Champions By Burt L. Standish
  20. Frank Merriwell's Return to Yale By Burt L. Standish
  21. Frank Merriwell's Secret By Burt L. Standish
  22. Frank Merriwell's Danger By Burt L. Standish
  23. Frank Merriwell's Loyalty By Burt L. Standish
  24. Frank Merriwell in Camp By Burt L. Standish
  25. Frank Merriwell's Vacation By Burt L. Standish
  26. Frank Merriwell's Cruise By Burt L. Standish
  27. Frank Merriwell's Chase By Burt L. Standish
  28. Frank Merriwell in Maine By Burt L. Standish
  29. Frank Merriwell's Struggle By Burt L. Standish
  30. Frank Merriwell's First Job By Burt L. Standish
  31. Frank Merriwell's Opportunity By Burt L. Standish
  32. Frank Merriwell's Hard Luck By Burt L. Standish
  33. Frank Merriwell's Protégé By Burt L. Standish
  34. Frank Merriwell on the Road By Burt L. Standish
  35. Frank Merriwell's Own Company By Burt L. Standish
  36. Frank Merriwell's Fame By Burt L. Standish
  37. Frank Merriwell's College Chums By Burt L. Standish
  38. Frank Merriwell's Problem By Burt L. Standish
  39. Frank Merriwell's Fortune By Burt L. Standish
  40. Frank Merriwell's New Comedian By Burt L. Standish
  41. Frank Merriwell's Prosperity By Burt L. Standish
  42. Frank Merriwell's Stage Hit By Burt L. Standish
  43. Frank Merriwell's Great Scheme By Burt L. Standish
  44. Frank Merriwell in England By Burt L. Standish
  45. Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards By Burt L. Standish
  46. Frank Merriwell's Duel By Burt L. Standish
  47. Frank Merriwell's Double Shot By Burt L. Standish
  48. Frank Merriwell's Baseball Victories By Burt L. Standish
  49. Frank Merriwell's Confidence By Burt L. Standish
  50. Frank Merriwell's Auto By Burt L. Standish
  51. Frank Merriwell's Fun By Burt L. Standish
  52. Frank Merriwell's Generosity By Burt L. Standish
  53. Frank Merriwell's Tricks By Burt L. Standish
  54. Frank Merriwell's Temptation By Burt L. Standish
  55. Frank Merriwell on Top By Burt L. Standish
  56. Frank Merriwell's Luck By Burt L. Standish
  57. Frank Merriwell's Mascot By Burt L. Standish
  58. Frank Merriwell's Reward By Burt L. Standish
  59. Frank Merriwell's Phantom By Burt L. Standish
  60. Frank Merriwell's Faith By Burt L. Standish
  61. Frank Merriwell's Victories By Burt L. Standish
  62. Frank Merriwell's Iron Nerve By Burt L. Standish
  63. Frank Merriwell in Kentucky By Burt L. Standish
  64. Frank Merriwell's Power By Burt L. Standish
  65. Frank Merriwell's Shrewdness By Burt L. Standish
  66. Frank Merriwell's Set Back By Burt L. Standish
  67. Frank Merriwell's Search By Burt L. Standish
  68. Frank Merriwell's Club By Burt L. Standish
  69. Frank Merriwell's Trust By Burt L. Standish
  70. Frank Merriwell's False Friend By Burt L. Standish
  71. Frank Merriwell's Strong Arm By Burt L. Standish
  72. Frank Merriwell as Coach By Burt L. Standish
  73. Frank Merriwell's Brother By Burt L. Standish
  74. Frank Merriwell's Marvel By Burt L. Standish
  75. Frank Merriwell's Support By Burt L. Standish
  76. Dick Merriwell At Fardale By Burt L. Standish
  77. Dick Merriwell's Glory By Burt L. Standish
  78. Dick Merriwell's Promise By Burt L. Standish
  79. Dick Merriwell's Rescue By Burt L. Standish
  80. Dick Merriwell's Narrow Escape By Burt L. Standish
  81. Dick Merriwell's Racket By Burt L. Standish
  82. Dick Merriwell's Revenge By Burt L. Standish
  83. Dick Merriwell's Ruse By Burt L. Standish
  84. Dick Merriwell's Delivery By Burt L. Standish
  85. Dick Merriwell's Wonders By Burt L. Standish
  86. Frank Merriwell's Honor By Burt L. Standish
  87. Dick Merriwell's Diamond By Burt L. Standish
  88. Frank Merriwell's Winners By Burt L. Standish
  89. Dick Merriwell's Dash By Burt L. Standish
  90. Dick Merriwell's Ability By Burt L. Standish
  91. Dick Merriwell's Trap By Burt L. Standish
  92. Dick Merriwell's Defense By Burt L. Standish
  93. Dick Merriwell's Model By Burt L. Standish
  94. Dick Merriwell's Mystery By Burt L. Standish
  95. Frank Merriwell's Backers By Burt L. Standish
  96. Dick Merriwell's Backstop By Burt L. Standish
  97. Dick Merriwell's Western Mission By Burt L. Standish
  98. Frank Merriwell's Rescue By Burt L. Standish
  99. Frank Merriwell's Encounter By Burt L. Standish
  100. Dick Merriwell's Marked Money By Burt L. Standish
  101. Frank Merriwell's Nomads By Burt L. Standish
  102. Dick Merriwell on the Gridiron By Burt L. Standish
  103. Dick Merriwell's Disguise By Burt L. Standish
  104. Dick Merriwell's Test By Burt L. Standish
  105. Frank Merriwell's Trump Card By Burt L. Standish
  106. Frank Merriwell's Strategy By Burt L. Standish
  107. Frank Merriwell's Triumph By Burt L. Standish
  108. Dick Merriwell's Grit By Burt L. Standish
  109. Dick Merriwell's Assurance By Burt L. Standish
  110. Dick Merriwell's Long Slide By Burt L. Standish
  111. Frank Merriwell's Rough Deal By Burt L. Standish
  112. Dick Merriwell's Threat By Burt L. Standish
  113. Dick Merriwell's Persistence By Burt L. Standish
  114. Dick Merriwell's Day By Burt L. Standish
  115. Frank Merriwell's Peril By Burt L. Standish, ©1904
  116. Dick Merriwell's Downfall By Burt L. Standish
  117. Frank Merriwell's Pursuit By Burt L. Standish
  118. Dick Merriwell Abroad By Burt L. Standish
  119. Frank Merriwell in the Rockies By Burt L. Standish
  120. Dick Merriwell's Pranks By Burt L. Standish
  121. Frank Merriwell's Pride By Burt L. Standish
  122. Frank Merriwell's Challengers By Burt L. Standish
  123. Frank Merriwell's Endurance By Burt L. Standish, ©1905
  124. Dick Merriwell's Cleverness By Burt L. Standish
  125. Frank Merriwell's Marriage By Burt L. Standish
  126. Dick Merriwell, the Wizard By Burt L. Standish
  127. Dick Merriwell's Stroke By Burt L. Standish
  128. Dick Merriwell's Return By Burt L. Standish
  129. Dick Merriwell's Resource By Burt L. Standish
  130. Dick Merriwell's Five By Burt L. Standish
  131. Frank Merriwell's Tigers By Burt L. Standish
  132. Dick Merriwell's Polo Team By Burt L. Standish
  133. Frank Merriwell's Pupils By Burt L. Standish
  134. Frank Merriwell's New Boy By Burt L. Standish
  135. Dick Merriwell's Home Run By Burt L. Standish
  136. Dick Merriwell's Dare By Burt L. Standish
  137. Frank Merriwell's Son By Burt L. Standish
  138. Dick Merriwell's Team Mate. By Burt L. Standish
  139. Frank Merriwell's Leaguers By Burt L. Standish
  140. Frank Merriwell's Happy Camp By Burt L. Standish
  141. Dick Merriwell's Influence By Burt L. Standish
  142. Dick Merriwell, Freshman By Burt L. Standish
  143. Dick Merriwell's Staying Power By Burt L. Standish

As William West Wilder, aka Wyoming Bill

[edit]
  • Westerns

As Harry Dangerfield

[edit]
  • Westerns, e.g. The Boy Cattle King

As Emerson Bell

[edit]
  • Science fiction, e.g. In The Heart of the Earth (the pen name was also used by Edward Stratemeyer)

As Gordon Braddock

[edit]
  • Rex Kingdon

As Morgan Scott

[edit]
  • Oakdale

As George Thruston Burr

[edit]
  • Bob Hunter, 1 story in 1930

As Bertha M. Clay

[edit]
  • Stories for Street & Smith: name used by different authors

Notes

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 "Patten, William G." Northern Illinois University Libraries. 1 September 2006. Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  2. ↑ "William G. Patten". Archived from the original on 23 October 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 American Heritage Volume 12 #4 Archived 26 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine: Frank Merriwell at Yale Again and Again and Again by Stewart Holbrook (June 1961]
  4. ↑ Joel Zoss and John Bowman in Diamonds in the Rough: The Untold History of Baseball page 265 (2004)
  5. ↑ John T. Dizer, Authors Who Wrote Dime Novels and Series Books, 1890-1914 in Pioneers, Passionate Ladies, and Private Eyes, page 81 (1996)
  6. ↑ J. Randolph Cox, in The Dime Novel Companion: A Source Book page 271 (2000)
  7. ↑ John A. Dinan in Sports in the Pulp Magazines page 66 (1998)
  8. ↑ Steven Serafin and Alfred Bendixen in The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature page 1072 (2003)
  9. ↑ Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Allusions page 357
  10. ↑ E.M. Sanchez Saavedra in Pioneers, Passionate Ladies, and Private Eyes, page 113 (1996)
  11. ↑ J. Randolph Cox, in The Dime Novel Companion: A Source Book page 172-173 (2000)
  12. ↑ John A. Dinan in Sports in the Pulp Magazines page 134 (1998)
  13. ↑ J. Randolph Cox, in The Dime Novel Companion: A Source Book page 87-88 (2000)
  14. ↑ James M. Cain in Sixty Years of Journalism page 157 (1985)
  15. ↑ Chester G. Mayo in The New England Quarterly vol. 38 #3 page 422 (1965)
  16. ↑ Associated Press, “Creator of ‘Frank Merriwell’ Dies”, The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Wednesday 17 January 1944, Volume 51, page 1.
[edit]
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