Smith, H. Allen (Harry Allen), 1907-1976

Harry Allen Smith was born December 19, 1907, in McLeansboro, Illinois, and in 1929 he began work with the United Press as a rewrite man. He was soon doing feature stories, and became well known for his unconventional interviews with celebrities and assorted personalities. He stayed five years with the United Press and then worked five years with the New York World-Telegram, doing much the same thing. His book "Lo, The Former Egyptian" gave a humor-based account of his return to the region in the 1940's. Smith's first publication was a commissioned biography of industrialist Robert Gair in 1939. Soon after that he wrote a spoof of Hitler entitled Mr. Klein's Kampf. His next attempt was Low Man on the Totem Pole, culled from his experience and interviews as a columnist and newspaper. This book, published in 1941, became a best seller and established Smith's fame as a humorist. Throughout the 50's and 60's, Smith published about a book a year, plus hundreds of articles for such magazines as Reader's Digest, Saturday Evening Post, Playboy, and Esquire. He wrote numerous articles and books based on his travels to London, Mexico, Hawaii, Tahiti, and throughout the U.S. In 1946, Smith published his first novel, Rhubarb, which subsequently became a movie, and inspired him to eventually write two sequel novels. The third Rhubarb novel, The View from Chivo, was published in 1971. Around this time, Smith began collecting material for a biography of Gene Fowler, a man he had loved and respected all his life. This book, The Life and Legend of Gene Fowler, was published posthumously in Spring 1977. Smith died in February of 1976 while in San Francisco gathering material for articles and books.

From the description of Charles C. Feirich collection of H. Allen Smith, 1942-1976. (Southern Illinois University). WorldCat record id: 318990741

From the description of Harry Allen Smith photograph collection, 1925-1976. (Southern Illinois University). WorldCat record id: 320365619

Harry A. Smith was a Miami University master of arts candidate in history.

From the description of The Distribution and organization of the British army in America from 1763 to 1774/ by Harry A. Smith. (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 122633127

Harry Allen Smith was born December 19, 1907, in McLeansboro, Illinois, and in 1929 he began work with the United Press as a rewrite man. His career evolved into that of a true working writer. Smith's first publication was a commissioned biography of industrialist Robert Gair in 1939, later he wrote a spoof of Hitler entitled Mr. Klein's Kampf. Low Man on the Totem Pole, culled from his experience and interviews as a columnist and newspaper, became a best-seller. Throughout the 50's and 60's, Smith published about a book a year, plus hundreds of articles for such magazines as Reader's Digest, Saturday Evening Post, Playboy, and Esquire. In 1946, Smith published his first novel, Rhubarb, which subsequently became a movie, and inspired him to eventually write two sequel novels. The third Rhubarb novel, The View from Chivo, was published in 1971. Around this time, Smith began collecting material for a biography of Gene Fowler, a man he had loved and respected all his life. This book, The Life and Legend of Gene Fowler, was published posthumously in Spring 1977. Smith died in February of 1976 while in San Francisco gathering material for articles and books.

From the description of Harry Allen Smith papers, 1930-1976. (Southern Illinois University). WorldCat record id: 301577280