Elbert M. Hoppenstedt

Elbert M. Hoppenstedt was an American author whose work ranged from children's mysteries and adventure novels to nonfiction. Public book records show titles including The Mystery of the Deserted Village, Tillicum, and Aerial Gunners of World War II, suggesting a career that moved comfortably between storytelling for young readers and factual writing.

Available sources also indicate that he was born in 1917 and died in 2013. An obituary listing and later book commentary describe him as a World War II Air Force bombardier and an educator or school administrator, which helps explain the practical, grounded feel of his writing and his interest in history, place, and real-world subjects.

Project Gutenberg's listing for The Mystery of the Deserted Village describes it as a mid-20th-century children's novel, and surviving catalog pages show that he published across several themes, from suspense to transportation and wildlife. Even from the limited biographical record online, he comes across as a versatile writer who aimed to inform as well as entertain.