Stratemeyer, Harriet with White Feather Hat and Fur Coat, n.d.

The older of Stratemeyer’s two daughters, Harriet Stratemeyer (later Adams) was born on December 12, 1892. She had a warm relationship with her father. Later in life, she recalled the lively atmosphere of her childhood home, explaining: “I was fortunate to have a father who could tell an original story at a moment’s notice.” After Edward Stratemeyer’s death, Harriet took over the leadership of the Stratemeyer Syndicate. From 1930 until her death in 1982, she served as the Syndicate’s guiding force, revamping its most important series – Tom Swift, the Bobbsey Twins, the Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew – and driving sales into the millions.