Nancy Drew is a fictional character in various mystery series. She was created by
Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the
Stratemeyer Syndicate book packaging firm. The character first appeared in 1930. The books have been
ghostwritten by a number of authors and are published under the collective
pseudonym Carolyn Keene.
Over the decades the character has evolved in response to changes in American culture and tastes. The books were extensively revised, beginning in 1959, largely to eliminate
racist stereotypes,
with arguable success.
Many scholars agree that in the revision process, the heroine's original, outspoken character was toned down and made more docile, conventional, and demure.
In the 1980s a new series was created,
The Nancy Drew Files, which featured an older and more professional Nancy as well as romantic plots.
In 2004 the original
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series, begun in 1930, was ended and a new series,
Girl Detective, was launched, with an updated version of the character who drives a
hybrid electric vehicle and uses a cell phone. Illustrations of the character have also evolved over time, from portrayals of a fearless, active young woman to a fearful or passive one.
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