Henry Gregor Felsen (August 16, 1916 – March 2, 1995) was an American writer, particularly of middle grade (MG) and teen (YA) books. He wrote both under his own name and a title under the pen name of Angus Vicker.

Biography

Felsen was born and attended school in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

, the son of Harry and Sabina Bedrick Felsen. He attended the

University of Iowa The University of Iowa (U of I, UIowa, or Iowa) is a public university, public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is organized int ...

for two years, where he met his first wife Penny, from whom he was later divorced. He taught part-time at

Drake University Drake University is a private university in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The University offers over 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, including professional programs in business, education, Legal education, law, and pharmacy. Drake U ...

(1964–1969), and in 1977 left Iowa to spend his remaining years travelling. His second wife Karen Kangas survived him, as did a son (Dan) and daughter (Holly) from his first marriage, and two stepchildren.

Career

After struggling financially during the

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

, Felsen sold nine books and hundreds of stories in his first eighteen months of full-time freelance writing in the early 1940s. After war service with the

Marine Corps Marines (or naval infantry) are military personnel generally trained to operate on both land and sea, with a particular focus on amphibious warfare. Historically, the main tasks undertaken by marines have included raiding ashore (often in supp ...

, during which he edited the Corps magazine ''

Leatherneck Leatherneck is a military slang term in the U.S. for a member of the United States Marine Corps. It is generally believed to originate in the wearing of a "leather stock" that went around the neck. Its original purpose was to protect the neck fr ...

'' and also wrote magazine articles while stationed in the Pacific, he returned to Iowa where he lived for most of the rest of his life. His best-selling book was ''Hot Rod'', one of a rodding series that also included ''Street Rod'' and ''Crash Club'' and sold about eight million copies in all. He wrote about 60 books, many of them moralistically exploring the evils of

drugs A drug is any chemical substance other than a nutrient or an essential dietary ingredient, which, when administered to a living organism, produces a biological effect. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalation, injection, smoking, ingestio ...

sexism Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on one's sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but primarily affects women and girls. It has been linked to gender roles and stereotypes, and may include the belief that one sex or gender is int ...

and racism. He is also credited with one screenplay, for the 1968 film '' Fever Heat'', based on his novel of the same name which had been published under the pen name of Angus Vicker.

Bibliography

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References

External links

*
Henry Gregor Felsen bibliography
* University of Iow
Papers of Henry Gregor Felsen
* The Iowan Books – Hot Rod, new editio
http://www.iowan.com/shop
{{DEFAULTSORT:Felsen, Henry Gregor 1916 births 1995 deaths American children's writers 20th-century American novelists American male screenwriters American young adult novelists American male novelists University of Iowa alumni Drake University faculty United States Marines 20th-century American male writers Novelists from Iowa Screenwriters from Iowa 20th-century American screenwriters United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II