author
Virgil D. (Virgil Dewey) Collins
1898–1953
An early 20th-century American writer who helped turn science, war, and business topics into lively reading for young people. His books capture the curiosity and practical spirit of the World War I era and the decades that followed.
1 Audiobook
The Boys' Book of Submarines
by A. Frederick (Archie Frederick) Collins, Virgil D. (Virgil Dewey) Collins
About the author
Born in 1898, Virgil Dewey Collins was an American author whose work ranged from juvenile nonfiction to practical business writing. Library and catalog records connect him with books such as The Boys' Military Manual (1918), while Project Gutenberg lists him as the co-author of The Boys' Book of Submarines.
His books often focused on explaining complicated subjects in a clear, approachable way. That mix of instruction and adventure made his writing a good fit for young readers interested in technology, military subjects, and how the modern world worked.
Collins died in 1953. Although he is not as widely remembered as some writers of his period, his surviving books still offer a vivid glimpse of early 20th-century educational writing and the era's fascination with invention, industry, and practical know-how.