Mildred Wirt Benson

In 1927, Benson became the first woman to receive a master's degree from the University of Iowa School of Journalism. She then went on to play an integral role in the development of juvenile fiction.

Born in Ladora, Iowa, Benson wrote over 100 juvenile series titles between 1927 and 1959. Under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene, she created Nancy Drew. In more than 60 years of printed life, the sleuth character has captured the imaginations of over three generations of readers. Benson received her pilot's license in the 1960s and has spent the latter part of her career writing for the Toledo Blade. In the past, she has been a contributor to Lutheran Young Folks, Our Boys and Girls, Calling All Girls, and other periodicals.

Among her juvenile series titles are Penny Parker Mystery Stories (1939-1947), Brownie Scout (1949-1953), Dan Carter (1949-1957), and Dot and Dash (1938-1940). In 1994, Benson was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.

Author Biography by Deanna Sue Thomann

* The Ghost of Blackwood Hall (Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1948)

Alumni |School of Journalism
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