Howard Roger Garis

Howard Roger Garis: The Uncle Wiggily Author

Here's a comprehensive summary of Howard Roger Garis, the prolific children's author best known for the Uncle Wiggily Longears series:

Life and Career:

• Full Name: Howard Roger Garis (also known as Howard R. Garis)
• Born: April 25, 1873, Binghamton, New York, United States
• Died: November 6, 1962, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
• Occupation: Writer, Newspaperman
• Genre: Children's Literature
• Famous Works: Uncle Wiggily Longears Series (over 583 books!), The Adventures of Tom Swift (under the pen name Victor Appleton)

Early Life and Career:

• Garis began his professional life as a newspaperman at the Newark Evening News in 1896.
• Shortly after, he started writing a daily bedtime story for the newspaper, featuring Uncle Wiggily, a charming elderly rabbit.
• The stories proved to be a hit with young readers, and Garis continued writing them for an astonishing 47 years, averaging a story a day (except Sundays) until his retirement in 1947.

Uncle Wiggily Longears Series:

• The Uncle Wiggily series became a publishing phenomenon, with over 583 books credited to Garis. He likely wrote even more under various pseudonyms.
• The stories followed the adventures of Uncle Wiggily, a wise and kind rabbit, and his friends – a diverse cast of animal characters facing everyday challenges and moral dilemmas.
• The stories were known for their gentle humor, positive messages, and focus on values like kindness, honesty, and perseverance.
• Many of the books were illustrated by Lansing Campbell, whose charming artwork helped bring the characters to life.

Other Works:

• Aside from Uncle Wiggily, Garis was a prolific writer who used various pseudonyms for different publishers under the Stratemeyer Syndicate.
• He wrote under names like Victor Appleton (The Adventures of Tom Swift series), Laura Lee Hope (Bobbsey Twins series), and Clarence Young (Motor Boys series), among others.

Legacy:

• Howard Roger Garis remains one of the most prolific children's authors of the early 20th century.
• The Uncle Wiggily series entertained generations of young readers and continues to be a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era in children's literature.
• While his work might not be as widely read today, his contribution to shaping the landscape of children's stories and his dedication to creating positive narratives for young minds are undeniable.

Additional Points to Consider:

• Some sources credit Garis' wife, Lilian Garis, with collaborating on some of his works, particularly under pseudonyms.
• The portrayal of gender roles and racial stereotypes in some of his stories might be seen as outdated by modern readers.

I hope this comprehensive overview gives you a good understanding of Howard Roger Garis and his literary legacy!