Irving Crump

Irving Crump, also known as James Irving Crump, was born in Saugerties, New York, on December 7, 1887, and died in Hackensack, New Jersey, on July 3, 1979. Reference sources identify him as an American writer whose work ranged across adventure fiction, boys' nonfiction, and early prehistoric fantasy.

He is closely linked with Boys' Life: a Library of Congress record for The Boys' Book of Railroads describes him as an editor of Boys' Life, The Boy Scouts' Magazine. His writing for younger readers included titles such as The Boy Scout Fire Fighters, The Boys' Book of Firemen, and The Boys' Book of Railroads, which show his interest in action, public service, and explaining big institutions to curious readers.

Crump is also remembered for his "Og" stories, beginning with Og, Son of Fire in 1922. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction notes that these prehistoric adventures first appeared in Boys' Life and became a small but lasting part of early speculative fiction for young audiences.