Harold L. (Harold Leland) Goodwin

Harold Leland Goodwin (November 20, 1914 – February 18, 1990) was an American writer remembered especially for the Rick Brant Science-Adventure books, many of them published under the pseudonym John Blaine. Sources also describe him as the author of dozens of books overall, including fiction for younger readers and nonfiction about science and space.

Before and alongside his writing life, Goodwin had a varied public-service and journalism career. Syracuse University’s guide to his papers says he served in the U.S. Marines during World War II, worked in radio and television reporting, including as a White House correspondent for Trans-Radio News Service, and later held several government posts.

What makes his work stand out is the mix of adventure and believable science. His stories were written for young readers, but they were grounded in genuine technical interest, which helped make them lively introductions to exploration, engineering, and the space age.