Elswyth Thane
Encyclopedia
Helen Elswyth Thane Ricker Beebe (May 16, 1900 – July 31, 1984) was an American
romance novel
ist. Born in Burlington, Iowa
, she was the daughter of a local teacher and high school principal." The family moved to New York City
in 1918, and "Helen Ricker" changed her name to "Elswyth Thane". She began working as a freelance writer in the 20s, and became a newspaper
writer and a Hollywood screenwriter
. Her first novel, Riders of the Wind, was published in 1926. Her novel, The Tudor Wench, about Elizabeth I of England
, was made into a play. She was a collector of scarves.
On September 22, 1927, at 27 years old she married 50-year-old naturalist
and explorer
William Beebe
; it was his second marriage. Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt
was one of the guests at the wedding.
Beebe died in 1962, leaving only half of his estate to his widow. She lived on the couple's farm in Wilmington, Vermont
. Her last work, Fighting Quaker: Nathaniel Greene, was published in 1972. When she died, she left her papers to the University of Iowa
.
Thane is most famous for her "Williamsburg
" series of historical fiction
. The books cover several generations of two families from the American Revolutionary War
up to World War II
. In later books, the action moves from Williamsburg to New York City
, Richmond, Virginia
and England
. The novels are, in chronological order:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
romance novel
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
ist. Born in Burlington, Iowa
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
, she was the daughter of a local teacher and high school principal." The family moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1918, and "Helen Ricker" changed her name to "Elswyth Thane". She began working as a freelance writer in the 20s, and became a newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
writer and a Hollywood screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
. Her first novel, Riders of the Wind, was published in 1926. Her novel, The Tudor Wench, about Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, was made into a play. She was a collector of scarves.
On September 22, 1927, at 27 years old she married 50-year-old naturalist
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
and explorer
Exploration
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
William Beebe
William Beebe
William Beebe, born Charles William Beebe was an American naturalist, ornithologist, marine biologist, entomologist, explorer, and author...
; it was his second marriage. Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
was one of the guests at the wedding.
Wilmington, Vermont
Wilmington is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,225 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was chartered in 1751 by Benning Wentworth, colonial governor of New Hampshire. It was named in honor of Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington...
. Her last work, Fighting Quaker: Nathaniel Greene, was published in 1972. When she died, she left her papers to the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
.
Thane is most famous for her "Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
" series of historical fiction
Historical fiction
Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the principal characters tend to be fictional...
. The books cover several generations of two families from the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
up to 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...
. In later books, the action moves from Williamsburg to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The novels are, in chronological order:
- Dawn's Early Light (1943)
- Yankee Stranger (1944)
- Ever After (1945)
- The Light Heart (1947)
- Kissing Kin (1948)
- This Was Tomorrow (1951)
- Homing (1957)
Other works
(alphabetically)- The Bird Who Made Good (1947)
- Bound to Happen (1930)
- Cloth of GoldCloth of goldCloth of gold is a fabric woven with a gold-wrapped or spun weft - referred to as "a spirally spun gold strip". In most cases, the core yarn is silk wrapped with a band or strip of high content gold filé...
(1929) - Dolley Madison, Her Life and Times (1970)
- Echo Answers (1927)
- England Was an Island Once (1940)
- The Family Quarrel: A Journey through the Years of the Revolution (1959)
- The Fighting Quaker: Nathanael Greene (1972)
- From This Day Forward (1941)
- His Elizabeth (1928)
- Letter to a Stranger (1954)
- The Lost General (1953)
- Melody, a Romance (1950)
- Mount Vernon: The Legacy: The Story of Its Preservation and Care since 1885 (1967)
- Mount Vernon Family (1968)
- Mount Vernon Is Ours: The Story of Its Preservation (1966)
- Potomac Squire (1963)
- Queen's Folly (1937)
- Reluctant Farmer (1950) aka The Strength of the Hills (1976)
- Briefly noted in The New YorkerThe New YorkerThe New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
25/50 (4 February 1950) : 95
- Briefly noted in The New Yorker
- Remember Today: Leaves from a Guardian Angel's Notebook (1941)
- Riders of the Wind 1926)
- TrystTryst (book)- Book Information :Written in 1939 by Elswyth Thane, Tryst is a story of two people and a seemingly ordinary home. While the quick summary may make it sound like a Horror novel, it actually borders on Mystery and Romance.- Plot Summary :...
(1939) - The Tudor Wench (1932)
- The Virginia Colony (1969)
- Washington's Lady 1960)
- Young Mr. Disraeli (1936; play)