Clifford B. Hicks
Encyclopedia
Clifford B. Hicks was an American writer and magazine editor, best known for his children's books chronicling the adventures of Alvin Fernald.
in 1920. He graduated cum laude from Northwestern University
, then served as a U.S. Marine
during World War II
, earning the Silver Star
. In 1945, he joined the staff of Popular Mechanics
magazine, and became a special projects editor in 1963. He wrote the magazine's Do-It-Yourself Materials Guide and edited the Do-It-Yourself Encyclopedia.
In 1959, Hicks penned his first children's book, First Boy on the Moon, which was dubbed Best Juvenile Book of the Year by the Friends of American Writers. The next year, he wrote The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald, the first of a series of books about a boy who relies on his "Magnificent Brain" to solve problems. The books inspired a pair of two-part Disney television movies: The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton (1974), and The Whiz Kid and the Carnival Caper (1976).
Hicks wrote one non-fiction children's book, The World Above (1965), which discusses the Earth's atmosphere and the universe beyond. In 1971, he began the Peter Potts series, which follows the misadventures of a small town boy who often gets into trouble "by accident". Hicks also wrote a two-act play, Alvin Fernald, Mayor for a Day (1992), which was based on one of his Alvin Fernald books.
On September 29, 2010, Hicks died at his home in Brevard, North Carolina
at the age of 90.
Biography
Hicks was born in Marshalltown, IowaIowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
in 1920. He graduated cum laude from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, then served as a U.S. Marine
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, earning the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
. In 1945, he joined the staff of Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics is an American magazine first published January 11, 1902 by H. H. Windsor, and has been owned since 1958 by the Hearst Corporation...
magazine, and became a special projects editor in 1963. He wrote the magazine's Do-It-Yourself Materials Guide and edited the Do-It-Yourself Encyclopedia.
In 1959, Hicks penned his first children's book, First Boy on the Moon, which was dubbed Best Juvenile Book of the Year by the Friends of American Writers. The next year, he wrote The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald, the first of a series of books about a boy who relies on his "Magnificent Brain" to solve problems. The books inspired a pair of two-part Disney television movies: The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton (1974), and The Whiz Kid and the Carnival Caper (1976).
Hicks wrote one non-fiction children's book, The World Above (1965), which discusses the Earth's atmosphere and the universe beyond. In 1971, he began the Peter Potts series, which follows the misadventures of a small town boy who often gets into trouble "by accident". Hicks also wrote a two-act play, Alvin Fernald, Mayor for a Day (1992), which was based on one of his Alvin Fernald books.
On September 29, 2010, Hicks died at his home in Brevard, North Carolina
Brevard, North Carolina
Brevard is a town in Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States. The 2005 population estimate by the United States Census Bureau was 6,643. It is the county seat of Transylvania County....
at the age of 90.
Alvin Fernald series
- The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald – 1960 (illustrated by Charles GeerCharles GeerCharles Geer was an American illustrator and author. He grew up on Long Island, New York, attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and then served in the United States Navy during World War II. Following the war he attended art school at the Pratt Institute.Geer illustrated many children’s...
) - Alvin's Secret Code – 1963
- Alvin Fernald, Foreign Trader – 1966
- Alvin Fernald, Mayor for a Day – 1970
- Alvin Fernald, Superweasel – 1974
- Alvin's Swap Shop – 1976
- Alvin Fernald, TV Anchorman – 1980
- The Wacky World of Alvin Fernald – 1981
- Alvin Fernald, Master of a Thousand Disguises – 1986
- Alvin Fernald's Incredible Buried Treasure – 2009
Peter Potts series
- Peter Potts – 1971
- Pop and Peter Potts – 1984
- Peter Potts Book of World Records – 1987