Walter B. Gibson

1897–1985

1 series 1 book in order

Walter Brown Gibson was an American author and professional magician who wrote under the house pen-name Maxwell Grant. He is best known for creating and writing more than 300 novel-length stories featuring the pulp fiction character The Shadow. During the 1930s and 1940s, he wrote up to 10,000 words a day to meet public demand. He also wrote under the pseudonym Andy Adams, contributing at least five novels to the Biff Brewster juvenile adventure and mystery series. Gibson authored more than a hundred books on topics including magic, psychic phenomena, true crime, and mysteries. He served as a ghostwriter for books on magic and spiritualism by Harry Houdini, Howard Thurston, Harry Blackstone, Sr., and Joseph Dunninger. He also wrote the comic books and radio drama Blackstone, the Magic Detective. Gibson introduced the "Chinese linking rings" trick in America and invented the "Nickels to Dimes" magic trick, which is still sold today. He was married to Litzka R. Gibson, also a writer, and the couple lived in New York state. Gibson lived from 1897 to 1985.

Born

1897

Known for

The Shadow