ADAMS, WILLIAM TAYLOR (1822-1897), American juvenile writer, popularly known under the pseudonym of "Oliver Optic," was born in Medway, Mass., on July 3o, 1822. For 20 years he was a teacher in the public schools of Boston, and he served for a term in the State legislature. He wrote more than 100 books, chiefly juvenile fiction, which appeared in several series. In large part these were contributed to Oliver Optic's Magazine, of which he was founder and editor. Among the best known are "Boat Club" series (1854), "Riverdale Story Books" (1858), "Woodville Stories" (1863-67), "Army and Navy" series (1865-1894), "Starry Flag" series (5867-69), "Young America Abroad" series (1867-69), "Great Western" series (1875-82), "Yacht Club" series (1900-03). He wrote also two novels, The Way of the World (1867) and Living Too Fast (1876). He died in Boston on March 27, 1897.