Donald J. Sobol (October 4, 1924 – July 11, 2012) was an American award-winning writer best known for his children's books, especially the Encyclopedia Brown mystery series.

Sobol was born in New York City, the son of Ira J. and Ida (Gelula) Sobol. He attended the NYC Ethical Culture Fieldston School and graduated from the Fieldston School in New York City in 1942. Sobol served with the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II and served in the Pacific Theater. Following the war, he attended Oberlin College, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He also attended the New School of Social Research.

He started his professional career as a copy boy for the New York Sun, eventually working his way up to reporter. In 1949, he took a job at the New York Daily News, and worked there for two years. After a brief stint as a buyer at Macy's in New York, he moved to Florida and started writing full time.

He started writing the syndicated series Two-Minute Mysteries in 1959, starring criminologist Dr. Haledjian. It proved very popular and ran for more than ten years. In 1963, he started writing the Encyclopedia Brown series, featuring amateur sleuth Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown. Compared with the Two-Minute Mysteries series, which features crimes as serious as murder, the Encyclopedia Brown books are more juvenile-oriented, often dealing with matters such as pranks or petty theft. Sobol's Encyclopedia Brown  titles have never been out of print and have been translated into twelve languages. In 1975, the Mystery Writers of America honored Sobol and his Encyclopedia Brown series with a Special Edgar Award. In 2007, Sobol released a new Encyclopedia Brown book, Encyclopedia Brown Cracks The Case.

Sobol also wrote the children's novel Secret Agents Four, in which a group of Miami teenagers attempt to thwart foreign saboteurs.

Sobol wrote more than 65 books. In addition to the books he wrote for children, Sobol also wrote a number of nonfiction books on topics ranging from history to investing. He also wrote and contributed to magazines under a variety of pen names. His manuscripts are stored at the University of Minnesota, in the Kerlan Collection.

FREE SHIPPING!

Silk Screened with white ink.

Black, Gildan, 100% cotton heavyweight tee, 5.2 oz

Printed in the USA