Henry Irving Dodge (April 11, 1861 - July 28, 1934) was an American writer. He was best known for creating the character "Skinner" which appeared in ''Skinner's Dress Suit'' and a number of additional stories in the 1910s.(29 July 1934)

''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' Dodge was a great-nephew of

Washington Irving Washington Irving (April 3, 1783 – November 28, 1859) was an American short-story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He is best known for his short stories "Rip Van Winkle" (1819) and " The Legen ...

and grandson of Major General Richard Henry Dodge who fought in the American Revolution and War of 1812. He was born in

Oswego County, New York Oswego County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 117,525. The county seat is Oswego. The county name is from a Mohawk-language word meaning "the pouring out place", referring to the point at ...

. He studied engineering and law, but preferred writing, and worked for newspapers and magazines. He did not publish his first novels until he was 45. In 1916, his story ''Skinner's Dress Suit'' was published in ''

The Saturday Evening Post ''The Saturday Evening Post'' is an American magazine, currently published six times a year. It was issued weekly under this title from 1897 until 1963, then every two weeks until 1969. From the 1920s to the 1960s, it was one of the most widely c ...

'',(23 September 1916)
Skinner's Dress Suit
''Saturday Evening Post'' featuring the character William Manning Skinner, and he continued writing Skinner stories to meet public demand, including ''Skinner's Baby'', ''Skinner's Big Idea'', and ''Skinner Makes It Fashionable'' in 1920. A few ''Skinner'' films based on his works were made in the 1910s and 1920s, e.g., ''

Skinner's Baby ''Skinner's Baby'' is a 1917 American silent comedy film starring Bryant Washburn, Hazel Daly, James C. Carroll, and U.K. Haupt. This film projected Washburn out of obscurity; it was quite a success.Lahue, Kalton CGentlemen to the Rescue p. 23 ...

'' (1917) and '' Skinner's Dress Suit'' (in both 1917 and 1926). Dodge also wrote plays. Dodge married Margaret Small in 1902. Dodge died in New York City on July 28, 1934, of

angina Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is chest pain or pressure, usually caused by ischemia, insufficient blood flow to the Cardiac muscle, heart muscle (myocardium). It is most commonly a symptom of coronary artery disease. Angina is typical ...

. Though his death merited an obituary with photograph in ''

'', his work has not drawn much attention since his death.

Filmography

* '' Skinner's Dress Suit'' (1917) * ''

'' (1917) * '' The Yellow Dog'' (1918) * '' Skinner's Dress Suit'' (1926) * ''

The Thirteenth Juror ''The Thirteenth Juror'' is a 1927 American mystery film directed by Edward Laemmle and written by Charles Logue and Walter Anthony. It is based on the 1908 play ''Counsel for the Defense'' by Henry Irving Dodge. The film stars Anna Q. Nilsson, ...

'' (1927) * ''

A Trick of Hearts ''A Trick of Hearts'' is a lost 1928 American silent Western film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring Hoot Gibson. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. Plot Carrie Patience has been elected as the new town sheriff. In o ...

'' (1928) * ''

Skinner's Big Idea ''Skinner's Big Idea'' is a 1928 American comedy film directed by Lynn Shores and written by Matt Taylor and Randolph Bartlett. It is based on the 1918 novel ''Skinner's Big Idea'' by Henry Irving Dodge. The film stars Bryant Washburn, William ...

'' (1928) * ''

Skinner Steps Out ''Skinner Steps Out'' is a 1929 American comedy film directed by William James Craft and written by Albert DeMond and Matt Taylor. The film stars Glenn Tryon, Merna Kennedy, E. J. Ratcliffe, Burr McIntosh, Lloyd Whitlock and William Welsh. The ...

'' (1929)

References

External links

* *
The Online Books Page
for Henry Irving Dodge (University of Pennsylvania)
Skinner's Dress Suit
in ''Saturday Evening Post'' (September 23, 1916) {{DEFAULTSORT:Dodge, Henry Irving 1861 births 1934 deaths 20th-century American short story writers People from Oswego County, New York