Gilbert Patten

William George "Gilbert" Patten (October 25, 1866 – January 16, 1945) was a writer of dime novels and is best known as author of the Frank Merriwell stories, with the pen name Burt L. Standish.

Biography
Frank Merriwell's Discovery on the cover of Tip Top Weekly (1900)
Tip Top Films produced the 1910 film Frank Merriwell in Arizona; or, The Mystery of the Mine
Poster for Frank Merriwell in Arizona (1910)

Gilbert Patten was born in Corinna, Maine in 1866. His father, a carpenter, and his mother were deeply religious pacifists. They were Seventh Day Adventists.[1] He entered Corinna Union Academy at fourteen, but when his father threatened that he would be put to work if he did not improve at school, Patten ran away to Biddeford, Maine where he worked in a machine shop. When he returned home and told his father that he would become an author, he was given thirty days to prove himself. He sold his first two stories in this period to the dime novel company of Erastus Flavel Beadle, and combined his resumed studies for the next four years with writing and publishing stories. When he was twenty, he married Alice Gardner, and in 1892 their son Harvan Barr Patten was born. They later divorced and Gilbert Patten would marry twice more.[2]

Patten worked at the Pittsfield Advertiser before creating in 1888 his own newspaper, the Corinna Owl. He sold it the next year to the Advertiser, and devoted his time to the stories, mostly westerns, for Beadle's Half-Dime Library.[2]

Meanwhile, he managed a semi-professional baseball team in 1890–1891 in Camden, Maine before leaving for New York City.[3] But after this season he again mostly worked as an author, working for Norman Munro, and for most of his career for Street & Smith.[4]

He was a writer of dime novels. His first published dime novel was The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, published in 1886 by Beadle.[5] He wrote westerns with the pen name Wyoming Bill,[6] but is best known for his sporting stories in the Frank Merriwell series, written as Burt L. Standish. Patten started writing the Merriwell stories in April 1896 for the publisher Street & Smith and produced one each week, at a length of twenty thousand words, for twenty years. The series, which appeared in Tip-Top Weekly, was immensely popular, selling some 135,000 copies a week, and the brothers Frank and Dick Merriwell became icons of All-American sportsmanship, entering the jargon of sports commentators.[7][8] Patten, however, never received any royalties for them, being paid up to $150 per story as a hack writer. The series was originally inspired by the success of the British Penny Dreadfuls like Jack Harkaway.[9] Gibert Patten also contributed to the Frank Merriwell comic strip from 1928, and supervised the 1934 NBC radio series.[10] In 1893, he hired Edward Stratemeyer as a writer for the Street & Smith publication Good News.[11] From 1927 to 1930, Gilbert Patten would start a new series of Frank Merriwell stories, aided now by a few ghostwriters. In 1930, Patten started his own publication, The Dime Novel, but only one issue appeared.[12] Apart from the Merriwell stories, Patten wrote 75 complete novels and an unknown number of stories. He estimated that he had written 40 million words as an author.[13] In total, some 500 million of his books were in print,[14] making him one of the best-selling fiction authors of all time.

He lived most of his life in Camden, Maine, but moved to California in 1941. He died aged 78 in his sleep at the home of his son H. V. Patten in Vista, California in 1945.[15]

Partial bibliography
Cover of Frank Merriwell's Pursuit, by Burt L. Standish

As himself
  • The Diamond Sport, 1886, 1 story
  • Violet Vane, 8 stories between 1889 and 1892
  • The Deadwood Trail, 1 novel published by D. Appleton and Co. in 1904
  • Football stories in Popular Magazine, a Street & Smith publication (1903)
  • Cliff Stirling or Clif Sterling, a series of five sporting novels published by David McKay between 1910 and 1916
  • Jack Lockwill, a 1927-1928 comic strip, different illustrators

The College Life Series
  • 1. Boltwood of Yale (1914)
  • 2. The College Rebel (1914)
  • 3. On College Battlefields (1917)
  • 4. The Call of the Varsity (1920)
  • 5. Sons of Old Eli (1923)
  • 6. Ben Oakman, Stroke (1925)

As Burt L. Standish
  • NEW Tip Top Weekly: An Ideal Publication For The American Youth
    • Owen Clancy's Run of Luck or, The Motor Wizard in the Garage (1914)
    • Owen Clancy's Happy Trail or, The Motor Wizard in California (1914)
  • Frank Merriwell, 209 dime novels between 1896 and 1930 (some between 1927 and 1930 written by other authors with the same pen name), 28 of them reprinted as hard covers
  • Big League, 16 episodes of baseball stories

The following are the first 143 titles of the Merriwell series (Stories of Frank and Dick Merriwell)

  • 1. Frank Merriwell's School Days By Burt L. Standish
  • 2. Frank Merriwell's Chums By Burt L. Standish
  • 3. Frank Merriwell's Foes By Burt L. Standish
  • 4. Frank Merriwell's Trip West By Burt L. Standish
  • 5. Frank Merriwell Down South By Burt L. Standish
  • 6. Frank Merriwell's Bravery By Burt L. Standish
  • 7. Frank Merriwell's Hunting Tour By Burt L. Standish
  • 8. Frank Merriwell in Europe By Burt L. Standish
  • 9. Frank Merriwell at Yale By Burt L. Standish
  • 10. Frank Merriwell's Sports Afield By Burt L. Standish
  • 11. Frank Merriwell's Races By Burt L. Standish
  • 12. Frank Merriwell's Party By Burt L. Standish
  • 13. Frank Merriwell's Bicycle Tour By Burt L. Standish
  • 14. Frank Merriwell's Courage By Burt L. Standish
  • 15. Frank Merriwell's Daring By Burt L. Standish
  • 16. Frank Merriwell's Alarm By Burt L. Standish
  • 17. Frank Merriwell's Athletes By Burt L. Standish
  • 18. Frank Merriwell's Skill By Burt L. Standish
  • 19. Frank Merriwell's Champions By Burt L. Standish
  • 20. Frank Merriwell's Return to Yale By Burt L. Standish
  • 21. Frank Merriwell's Secret By Burt L. Standish
  • 22. Frank Merriwell's Danger By Burt L. Standish
  • 23. Frank Merriwell's Loyalty By Burt L. Standish
  • 24. Frank Merriwell in Camp By Burt L. Standish
  • 25. Frank Merriwell's Vacation By Burt L. Standish
  • 26. Frank Merriwell's Cruise By Burt L. Standish
  • 27. Frank Merriwell's Chase By Burt L. Standish
  • 28. Frank Merriwell in Maine By Burt L. Standish
  • 29. Frank Merriwell's Struggle By Burt L. Standish
  • 30. Frank Merriwell's First Job By Burt L. Standish
  • 31. Frank Merriwell's Opportunity By Burt L. Standish
  • 32. Frank Merriwell's Hard Luck By Burt L. Standish
  • 33. Frank Merriwell's Protégé By Burt L. Standish
  • 34. Frank Merriwell on the Road By Burt L. Standish
  • 35. Frank Merriwell's Own Company By Burt L. Standish
  • 36. Frank Merriwell's Fame By Burt L. Standish
  • 37. Frank Merriwell's College Chums By Burt L. Standish
  • 38. Frank Merriwell's Problem By Burt L. Standish
  • 39. Frank Merriwell's Fortune By Burt L. Standish
  • 40. Frank Merriwell's New Comedian By Burt L. Standish
  • 41. Frank Merriwell's Prosperity By Burt L. Standish
  • 42. Frank Merriwell's Stage Hit By Burt L. Standish
  • 43. Frank Merriwell's Great Scheme By Burt L. Standish
  • 44. Frank Merriwell in England By Burt L. Standish
  • 45. Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards By Burt L. Standish
  • 46. Frank Merriwell's Duel By Burt L. Standish
  • 47. Frank Merriwell's Double Shot By Burt L. Standish
  • 48. Frank Merriwell's Baseball Victories By Burt L. Standish
  • 49. Frank Merriwell's Confidence By Burt L. Standish
  • 50. Frank Merriwell's Auto By Burt L. Standish
  • 51. Frank Merriwell's Fun By Burt L. Standish
  • 52. Frank Merriwell's Generosity By Burt L. Standish
  • 53. Frank Merriwell's Tricks By Burt L. Standish
  • 54. Frank Merriwell's Temptation By Burt L. Standish
  • 55. Frank Merriwell on Top By Burt L. Standish
  • 56. Frank Merriwell's Luck By Burt L. Standish
  • 57. Frank Merriwell's Mascot By Burt L. Standish
  • 58. Frank Merriwell's Reward By Burt L. Standish
  • 59. Frank Merriwell's Phantom By Burt L. Standish
  • 60. Frank Merriwell's Faith By Burt L. Standish
  • 61. Frank Merriwell's Victories By Burt L. Standish
  • 62. Frank Merriwell's Iron Nerve By Burt L. Standish
  • 63. Frank Merriwell in Kentucky By Burt L. Standish
  • 64. Frank Merriwell's Power By Burt L. Standish
  • 65. Frank Merriwell's Shrewdness By Burt L. Standish
  • 66. Frank Merriwell's Set Back By Burt L. Standish
  • 67. Frank Merriwell's Search By Burt L. Standish
  • 68. Frank Merriwell's Club By Burt L. Standish
  • 69. Frank Merriwell's Trust By Burt L. Standish
  • 70. Frank Merriwell's False Friend By Burt L. Standish
  • 71. Frank Merriwell's Strong Arm By Burt L. Standish
  • 72. Frank Merriwell as Coach By Burt L. Standish
  • 73. Frank Merriwell's Brother By Burt L. Standish
  • 74. Frank Merriwell's Marvel By Burt L. Standish
  • 75. Frank Merriwell's Support By Burt L. Standish
  • 76. Dick Merriwell At Fardale By Burt L. Standish
  • 77. Dick Merriwell's Glory By Burt L. Standish
  • 78. Dick Merriwell's Promise By Burt L. Standish
  • 79. Dick Merriwell's Rescue By Burt L. Standish
  • 80. Dick Merriwell's Narrow Escape By Burt L. Standish
  • 81. Dick Merriwell's Racket By Burt L. Standish
  • 82. Dick Merriwell's Revenge By Burt L. Standish
  • 83. Dick Merriwell's Ruse By Burt L. Standish
  • 84. Dick Merriwell's Delivery By Burt L. Standish
  • 85. Dick Merriwell's Wonders By Burt L. Standish
  • 86. Frank Merriwell's Honor By Burt L. Standish
  • 87. Dick Merriwell's Diamond By Burt L. Standish
  • 88. Frank Merriwell's Winners By Burt L. Standish
  • 89. Dick Merriwell's Dash By Burt L. Standish
  • 90. Dick Merriwell's Ability By Burt L. Standish
  • 91. Dick Merriwell's Trap By Burt L. Standish
  • 92. Dick Merriwell's Defense By Burt L. Standish
  • 93. Dick Merriwell's Model By Burt L. Standish
  • 94. Dick Merriwell's Mystery By Burt L. Standish
  • 95. Frank Merriwell's Backers By Burt L. Standish
  • 96. Dick Merriwell's Backstop By Burt L. Standish
  • 97. Dick Merriwell's Western Mission By Burt L. Standish
  • 98. Frank Merriwell's Rescue By Burt L. Standish
  • 99. Frank Merriwell's Encounter By Burt L. Standish
  • 100. Dick Merriwell's Marked Money By Burt L. Standish
  • 101. Frank Merriwell's Nomads By Burt L. Standish
  • 102. Dick Merriwell on the Gridiron By Burt L. Standish
  • 103. Dick Merriwell's Disguise By Burt L. Standish
  • 104. Dick Merriwell's Test By Burt L. Standish
  • 105. Frank Merriwell's Trump Card By Burt L. Standish
  • 106. Frank Merriwell's Strategy By Burt L. Standish
  • 107. Frank Merriwell's Triumph By Burt L. Standish
  • 108. Dick Merriwell's Grit By Burt L. Standish
  • 109. Dick Merriwell's Assurance By Burt L. Standish
  • 110. Dick Merriwell's Long Slide By Burt L. Standish
  • 111. Frank Merriwell's Rough Deal By Burt L. Standish
  • 112. Dick Merriwell's Threat By Burt L. Standish
  • 113. Dick Merriwell's Persistence By Burt L. Standish
  • 114. Dick Merriwell's Day By Burt L. Standish
  • 115. Frank Merriwell's Peril By Burt L. Standish, ©1904
  • 116. Dick Merriwell's Downfall By Burt L. Standish
  • 117. Frank Merriwell's Pursuit By Burt L. Standish
  • 118. Dick Merriwell Abroad By Burt L. Standish
  • 119. Frank Merriwell in the Rockies By Burt L. Standish
  • 120. Dick Merriwell's Pranks By Burt L. Standish
  • 121. Frank Merriwell's Pride By Burt L. Standish
  • 122. Frank Merriwell's Challengers By Burt L. Standish
  • 123. Frank Merriwell's Endurance By Burt L. Standish, ©1905
  • 124. Dick Merriwell's Cleverness By Burt L. Standish
  • 125. Frank Merriwell's Marriage By Burt L. Standish
  • 126. Dick Merriwell, the Wizard By Burt L. Standish
  • 127. Dick Merriwell's Stroke By Burt L. Standish
  • 128. Dick Merriwell's Return By Burt L. Standish
  • 129. Dick Merriwell's Resource By Burt L. Standish
  • 130. Dick Merriwell's Five By Burt L. Standish
  • 131. Frank Merriwell's Tigers By Burt L. Standish
  • 132. Dick Merriwell's Polo Team By Burt L. Standish
  • 133. Frank Merriwell's Pupils By Burt L. Standish
  • 134. Frank Merriwell's New Boy By Burt L. Standish
  • 135. Dick Merriwell's Home Run By Burt L. Standish
  • 136. Dick Merriwell's Dare By Burt L. Standish
  • 137. Frank Merriwell's Son By Burt L. Standish
  • 138. Dick Merriwell's Team Mate. By Burt L. Standish
  • 139. Frank Merriwell's Leaguers By Burt L. Standish
  • 140. Frank Merriwell's Happy Camp By Burt L. Standish
  • 141. Dick Merriwell's Influence By Burt L. Standish
  • 142. Dick Merriwell, Freshman By Burt L. Standish
  • 143. Dick Merriwell's Staying Power By Burt L. Standish

As William West Wilder, aka Wyoming Bill
  • Westerns

As Harry Dangerfield
  • Westerns, e.g. The Boy Cattle King

As Emerson Bell
  • Science fiction, e.g. In The Heart of the Earth (the pen name was also used by Edward Stratemeyer)

As Gordon Braddock
  • Rex Kingdon

As Morgan Scott
  • Oakdale

As George Thruston Burr
  • Bob Hunter, 1 story in 1930

As Bertha M. Clay
  • Stories for Street & Smith: name used by different authors

Notes
  1. "William G. Patten".
  2. American Heritage Volume 12 #4: Frank Merriwell at Yale Again and Again and Again by Stewart Holbrook (June 1961]
  3. Joel Zoss and John Bowman in Diamonds in the Rough: The Untold History of Baseball page 265 (2004)
  4. John T. Dizer, Authors Who Wrote Dime Novels and Series Books, 1890-1914 in Pioneers, Passionate Ladies, and Private Eyes, page 81 (1996)
  5. J. Randolph Cox, in The Dime Novel Companion: A Source Book page 271 (2000)
  6. John A. Dinan in Sports in the Pulp Magazines page 66 (1998)
  7. Steven Serafin and Alfred Bendixen in The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature page 1072 (2003)
  8. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Allusions page 357
  9. E.M. Sanchez Saavedra in Pioneers, Passionate Ladies, and Private Eyes, page 113 (1996)
  10. J. Randolph Cox, in The Dime Novel Companion: A Source Book page 172-173 (2000)
  11. John A. Dinan in Sports in the Pulp Magazines page 134 (1998)
  12. J. Randolph Cox, in The Dime Novel Companion: A Source Book page 87-88 (2000)
  13. James M. Cain in Sixty Years of Journalism page 157 (1985)
  14. Chester G. Mayo in The New England Quarterly vol. 38 #3 page 422 (1965)
  15. Associated Press, “Creator of ‘Frank Merriwell’ Dies”, The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Wednesday 17 January 1944, Volume 51, page 1.
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