william taylor adams, american author, better known and loved by boys and girls through his pseudonym "oliver optic," was born july 30, 1822, in the town of medway, norfolk county, massachusetts, about twenty-five miles from boston. for twenty years he was a teacher in the public schools of boston, where he came in close contact with boy life. these twenty years taught him how to reach the boy's heart and interest as the popularity of his books attest.

his story writing began in 1850 when he was twenty-eight years old and his first book was published in 1853. he also edited "the oliver optic magazine," "the student and schoolmate," "our little ones."

mr. adams died at the age of seventy-five years, in boston, march 27, 1897.

he was a prolific writer and his stories are most attractive and unobjectionable. most of his books were published in series. probably the most famous of these is "the boat club series" which comprises the following titles:

"the boat club," "all aboard," "now or never," "try again," "poor and proud," "little by little." all of these titles will be found in this edition.

other well-known series are his "soldier boy series," "sailor boy series," "woodville stories." the "woodville stories" will also be found in this edition.