10 Astonishing Truths About Nancy Drew

Nancy Drew remains impressively vibrant for a character who has been captivating readers since her introduction in 1930. With the recent release of Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase, featuring Sophia Lillis as the iconic detective, it's clear that her legacy continues to thrive. Discover some intriguing details about the character who inspired figures like Velma Dinkley and Veronica Mars.

1. Nancy Drew might have been named Diana Dare.

What if the beloved book series had featured Diana Dare, Stella Strong, Nan Nelson, or Helen Hale instead? These were some of the names Edward Stratemeyer, the creator of Nancy Drew, considered before settling on Nancy Drew. Initially, he proposed Nan Drew, but his editors suggested 'Nancy' for its smoother, more appealing sound.

2. Edward Stratemeyer crafted the story outlines but enlisted others to handle the writing.

Contrary to popular belief, the ghostwriter wasn't Carolyn Keene (a pseudonym used collectively over time). In the series' early days, Mildred Wirt was the writer behind the young detective, earning between $125 and $250 per book along with a fifth of the royalties. While Wirt didn't author every Nancy Drew book, she wrote 23 of the first 25 titles, making her the most influential figure in shaping the character's identity.

3. Numerous influential women have named Nancy Drew as a favorite character.

Beyond enjoying the Nancy Drew series, many prominent women have credited the fictional sleuth as a source of inspiration, showing them that women could achieve anything. Notable fans include Sandra Day O'Connor, Sonia Sotomayor, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Barbara Walters, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

4. Edward Stratemeyer believed a woman's primary role was in the home.

It's somewhat ironic that Nancy Drew became a source of inspiration for many women, given that her creator was far from being a feminist. Edward Stratemeyer introduced a female detective character primarily because of the success he achieved with The Hardy Boys among young male readers. He aimed to replicate that success by targeting a female audience.

5. Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys weren't the only creations of the Stratemeyer Syndicate.

The Stratemeyer Syndicate produced numerous children's book series, which often followed a similar formula. Among their other popular series were The Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift, The Dana Girls Mystery Stories, and The Kay Tracey Mysteries.

6. In France, Nancy Drew goes by the name Alice Roy.

In Sweden, she's known as Kitty Drew, while in Finland, she goes by Paula Drew. In Norway, the book is titled Miss Detective, though her name remains Nancy inside. In Germany, Nancy is a law student named Susanne Langen.

7. Ned Nickerson didn't win over many readers.

Poor Ned Nickerson. In the early books, he spent most of his time chasing after Nancy, who showed little interest in their relationship. In the 1938 film adaptation, his name was even changed from Ned to Ted, as screenwriters found Ned outdated. When Nancy went to college in the 1995 Nancy Drew on Campus series, readers were given a 1-800 number to vote on whether she should stay with Ned or explore other options. Fans overwhelmingly chose a new boyfriend, leading to the introduction of Jake. (Sorry, Ned.)

8. Russell Tandy designed the dust jackets and interior illustrations for the first 26 Nancy Drew books.

Russell Tandy's work on Nancy Drew was just one part of his prolific career. He also illustrated six Hardy Boys covers, worked as a fashion illustrator for luxury department stores, created designs for Butterick Patterns, and designed the Jantzen swimwear logo. He was also well-connected, counting Ernest Hemingway, Salvador Dalí, and Norman Rockwell among his close friends. His artwork remains highly sought after; in 2009, his cover painting for The Secret of Shadow Ranch sold for $9500.

9. Among the hundreds of Nancy Drew books, The Hidden Staircase stands out as the fan favorite.

The second installment in the Nancy Drew series, first published in 1930 and revised in 1949, remains the most beloved title in the entire series. By 2001, it had sold 1.8 million copies, securing the #68 spot on a list of the top 100 bestselling children's books of all time. This places Nancy Drew ahead of classics like Eloise, Charlotte's Web, Yertle the Turtle, and Curious George.

10. Nancy has embraced some modern updates, but only slightly.

While there were discussions about modernizing Nancy for recent films, it was ultimately decided that turning her into a tech-savvy spy with high-tech gadgets would stray too far from her essence. However, she has seen minor updates: in the Nancy Drew: All New Girl Detective series by Simon & Schuster, Nancy now drives a blue hybrid instead of her classic blue roadster.

An earlier version of this article appeared in 2010.