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, the son of Harry and Sabina Bedrick Felsen. He attended the
University of Iowa for two years, where he met his first wife Penny, from whom he was later divorced.
He taught part-time at
Drake University (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
Depression, 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, during which he edited the Corps magazine ''
Leatherneck'' 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
rod
Rod, Ror, Ród, Rőd, Rød, Röd, ROD, or R.O.D. may refer to:
Devices
* Birch rod, made out of twigs from birch or other trees for corporal punishment
* Ceremonial rod, used to indicate a position of authority
* Connecting rod, main, coupling, ...
ding 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 that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalat ...
,
sexism 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.
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References
External links
*
Henry Gregor Felsen bibliography* University of Iow
* 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