author
Wilmer M. (Wilmer Mateo) Ely
1874–1918
Best known for the fast-moving Boy Chums adventures, this early 20th-century writer sent young readers into the Florida Everglades, coastal waters, and Gulf Coast on dangerous, lively expeditions. His stories mix outdoor action with friendship, teamwork, and a strong sense of place.
1 Audiobook
The Boy Chums in the Forest; Or, Hunting for Plume Birds in the Florida Everglades
by Wilmer M. (Wilmer Mateo) Ely
About the author
An American writer of juvenile adventure fiction, Wilmer M. Ely is chiefly remembered for the Boy Chums books. Project Gutenberg lists several of his works, and library and book-record sources connect him with the series across the years 1905 to 1916.
His novels are especially tied to Florida and nearby waters, with titles that lead readers through the Everglades, the Gulf of Mexico, and other rugged settings. That regional focus gives the books much of their appeal: they are brisk, danger-filled stories built around travel, survival, and loyal companionship.
Available sources identify him as Wilmer Mateo Ely, born in 1874 and dying in 1918. Reliable pages found for this search did not provide a clear, usable portrait photograph, so no author image is included here.