Encyclopedia Brown Author Donald Sobol Gone At 87

Encyclopedia Brown is one of children’s literatures most enduring characters and a great stepping-stone for mystery readers who built their first bridge with Nate the Great. Over the years, Donald J. Sobol’s stories have resonated with young readers in many different generations, becoming a household name in children’s literature. Sadly, just short of the Encyclopedia Brown series reaching its fifty-year milestone, Sobol has written his last paragraph.

In 2011, Sobol published the 28th book in the Encyclopedia Brown series, Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Carnival Crime, which follows the lead as he solves mysteries for 25 cents apiece. The fervor for the series has not died among fans nor had the desire to continue died in Sobol: according to the author’s son, John, the mystery writer continued to jot down stories until his very last days. On July 11, Sobol passed away in Miami in the presence of his wife, Rose, who spent time at his bedside. According to the Associated Press, the author died of natural causes. He was 87.

In the 1960s, Sobol was working on a news article at the library when he happened upon a nifty idea. After a librarian on staff handed a book of math problems and solutions to Sobol, he seized on the idea a similar format could work with mysteries. Thus, the idea for mysteries where the solution follows the actual fiction were created. The story was rejected 24 times before it was eventually picked up, leading Sobol to a flourishing career that has left fans more than 80 books to peruse through and countless spinoffs.. Several dozen of those are Encyclopedia Brown titles.

As sad as it is to lose a treasure, Encyclopedia Brown, Sally Kimball, and the rest of the motley crew will get one lovely, fitting fiftieth anniversary release. Sobol’s next Encyclopedia Brown book, Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme, will be published by Penguin in October.