Charles Asbury Stephens
Charles Asbury Stephens (1844-1931) was an American writer and physician, best known for his long-standing association with the magazine *The Youth's Companion*, where he penned nearly three thousand short stories and around 250 serialized novels. Born in Norway, Maine, he graduated from Bowdoin College in 1869 and later earned his medical degree from Boston University in 1887, which informed his writing, particularly in incorporating scientific facts. His adventurous tales, often aimed at young readers, featured themes of personal responsibility, education, and moral values, with notable series such as the *Old Squire's* and the *Camping Out and Knockabout Club*.
Stephens's storytelling drew heavily from his New England childhood, creating vivid narratives filled with realistic details that both entertained and educated his audience. His characters, often adventurous boys and strong female figures, navigated various challenges, embodying the spirit of exploration and learning. His contributions to literature were significant during his lifetime, helping to boost *The Youth's Companion*'s circulation to 500,000 in 1890, and he also wrote for several other publications. Overall, Stephens's legacy lies in his ability to combine adventure with educational elements, appealing to the curiosity and imagination of young readers.
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Charles Asbury Stephens
Writer
- Born: October 21, 1844
- Birthplace: Norway, Maine
- Died: September 22, 1931
Biography
Charles Asbury Stephens was born October 21, 1844, in Norway, Maine, to Simon and Harriet N. Upton Stevens. He attended Norway Liberal Institute followed by Bowdoin College, receiving his degree in 1869. In April, 1871, he married Christine Stevens. They had two daughters. Christine died in 1911. He married an opera singer, Minnie Scalar Plummer, in December, 1912. He died September 22, 1931.
Stephens was immensely popular for nearly sixty years, writing almost exclusively for the magazine The Youth’s Companion. He wrote nearly three thousand short stories, some collected into books, and around 250 serials that were later published as novels. The editor encouraged him to attend medical school so science facts could be accurately reported in the magazine. Stephens earned his M.D. from Boston University in 1887. He is credited with helping to increase circulation of the magazine to 500,000 in 1890.
Around this time, he began traveling across North and Central America and to Europe and the West Indies. He reported his adventures in The Youth’s Companion. These stories later became part of the Camping Out and Knockabout Club series, published between 1872 and 1883. In both groups of stories, he promoted his idea of a traveling college—a group of young men on board a ship journeying to various places. At each location they would learn while studying the locale’s characteristics and history.
Most of his stories were of the adventure variety and targeted boys, though he also included spunky female characters. His most popular series was known as the Old Squire’s. These stories are set on and old Maine farm that is surrounded by countryside perfect for playing pranks and foiling the schemes of the less virtuous characters. In this collection of stories, six orphan cousins raised by their grandparents deal with issues such as personal responsibility, the value of education and hard work, the importance of the democratic process, and the entrepreneurial spirit. The girls are brave and intelligent, while both boys and girls have a competitive nature that aids them in their adventures.
His work captures life simply and vividly, drawing heavily on his own nineteenth century New England childhood experiences for realistic details. Details abound in his work, which often turns to educating the reader. For instance, in many of his stories, the reader is informed about creatures of the wild as well as the art of woodcrafting.
A highly prolific writer, Stephens’s stories are rich in details that educate the reader while entertaining. He also published in other magazines, such as Ballou’s Monthly Magazine and Our Flag of Boston.