Henry Thomson Burtis (1896–1971) was an American author whose prolific literary career was deeply informed by his early real-world experiences in aviation. Born in New York, Burtis served as a lieutenant in the United States Army Air Service and worked as a member of the aerial border patrol. Following his military service, he transitioned to civilian life as a newspaper reporter, a role that sharpened his writing skills before he dedicated himself fully to fiction.\n\nBurtis became a highly active contributor to the American pulp magazine market during its golden age, penning more than two hundred short stories for popular publications such as Adventure. He also authored over twenty novels, the majority of which featured aviation themes and were written specifically for children. His work frequently appeared in The American Boy, establishing him as a prominent voice in early twentieth-century adventure and youth literature.\n\nBeyond his print publications, Burtis's narratives found success in Hollywood. Several of his short stories were adapted for the screen, most notably the film In Old Oklahoma. Burtis spent his later years in California, where he died in Santa Monica on April 24, 1971.
