There is more to the story…no matter which chapter interests you the most! Resources abound for the researcher who wants to dive in.
To learn more about Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson and Nancy Drew scholarship, check out these following resources:
Collections
- The Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson papers can be found at the Iowa Women’s Archives of the University of Iowa Libraries. This collection includes manuscript drafts, newspaper articles by Benson, photographs, and more.
- Mildred Wirt Benson’s Memory Book is a digital copy of a scrapbook Benson kept during her high school and college years. Other digitized materials from Benson’s papers can also be found at the Iowa Digital Library, including Mildred Wirt Benson correspondence with University of Iowa Libraries staff, 1953-1982.
- The Benson, Mildred (Augustine) Wirt folder in the Alumni and Former Students Vertical File Collection at the Special Collections and University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries contains articles and University related materials.
- The Benson, Mildred Augustine Wirt correspondence folder in Iowa Authors, Administrative Files at the Special Collections and University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries holds letters from Frank Paluka and other staff members as they search out and collect books by Mildred Wirt Benson for the Iowa Room. Special Collections holds an extensive collection of her novels.
- The Carolyn Dyer papers, found at the Iowa Women’s Archives, contain materials from the 1993 Nancy Drew Conference, including testimonials from readers all over the country on what Nancy Drew meant to them. Also in this collection over 100 Mildred Wirt Benson books, which span multiple decades and include several copies in foreign languages.
- The Nancy Drew Collection, housed at the Iowa Women’s Archives, is an ongoing collection of materials relating to the 1993 Nancy Drew Conference and Mildred Wirt Benson.
- The Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame Records, also located at the Iowa Women’s Archives, holds Benson’s 1994 application to the Hall of Fame, written by Carolyn Dyer on her behalf.
Books & Excerpts
- Frank Paluka, “Mildred A Wirt,” Iowa Authors (1967): 197-208.
- Carolyn Dyer and Nancy Tillman Romalov, Rediscovering Nancy Drew (University of Iowa Press, 2015), a compilation of scholarly essays and other writings from the Nancy Drew Conference.
- Melanie Rehak, Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her (Harcourt, Inc., 2005). This book that looks at the roles of Edward Stratemeyer, Harriet Adams, and Mildred Wirt Benson in the creation of Nancy Drew, as well as how her character endured and grew through the decades. Both this book and Rediscovering Nancy Drew can be found in the book stacks at the Iowa Women’s Archives.
- Julie K. Rubini, Missing Millie Benson: The Secret Case of the Nancy Drew Ghostwriter and Journalist (Ohio University Press, 2015), an in-depth biography on Mildred Wirt Benson.
- The 1924 State University of Iowa yearbook. Mildred Augustine is mentioned for being involved with soccer (259), joining the Cosmopolitan Club (387), and participating in the Freshman Women’s Literary Society (409).
- The 1925 State University of Iowa yearbook. Mildred Augustine is shown for joining Hawkeye Staff (183) and the Daily Iowan (185), successfully auditioning for the Seals Club (304), and continuing with the Cosmopolitan Club (458).
- The 1926 State University of Iowa yearbook. Mildred Augustine’s senior picture is in this album (64), along with photos and mentions for being involved with the Hawkeye Staff (187), Orchestra (212), the Seals Club (320), Theta Sigma Phi (457), the Athena Literary Society (479), the Cosmopolitan Club (481), and Kappa Phi (489).
- The 1928 State University of Iowa yearbook. Mildred Augustine is noted for being involved with the Seals Club (327) and Theta Sigma Phi (454) as a graduate student.
Essays & Articles
- Mildred Wirt Benson, “The Ghost of Ladora,” Books at Iowa 19 (November 1973): 24-29. This piece reflects on her writing career and passion for adventure.
- “The Adventurous Millie Benson,” The People’s Voice 3, no. 4 (December 1974).
- “The Secret of the Ghost (Writer) of Ladora,” published in the University of Iowa Alumni Review, volume 38, January 1984 – December 1985. The Iowa Alumni Review also printed short segments on Mildred Wirt Benson in the following editions: volume 45, January 1991 – December 1992; volume 47, 1994; and volume 53, 2000. Finally, there is an extended article written in 1994 when Benson was named a Distinguished Alumni.
- Geoffrey S. Lapin, “The Ghost of Nancy Drew,” Books at Iowa 50 (April 1989), pages 8-27. Lapin wrote this piece to describe his research as he sought out the original Carolyn Keene.
- Jennifer Fisher, “Mildred Wirt Benson & Carolyn Keene: A Mystery Revealed,” Firsts The Book Collector’s Magazine (December 2006): 18-31.
Websites
- The Mildred Wirt Benson Website, created and managed by Jennifer Fisher, president of the Nancy Drew Sleuths and Nancy Drew scholar.
- The Nancy Drew Sleuths Fan Club and the Nancy Drew Sleuth Unofficial Website, also by Jennifer Fisher. These sites contain historical notes about Nancy Drew, as well as book analysis, blogs, and information about the Nancy Drew Sleuths.