Samm Sinclair Baker introduction page

Samm Sinclair Baker
Author

Samuel Baker. Born July 29, 1909 in Patterson, NJ to immigrants from eastern Europe. Worked in weaving mills. Attended Wharton School for one year. Worked as freelance writer and cartoonist. Moved to New York City and became involved with advertising including early television. Married Natalie Bachrach. One of founders of Sterns Nurseries Miracle Grow. Continued to freelance write for magazines (mostly gardening how-to articles and mystery stories) and wrote mystery novels. Retired from advertising in 1968 to fulfill his long-time dream of writing full time. Co-authored bestselling diet books including the Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet among more than 30 other published books. Died March 5, 1997 in Portchester, NY.

Obituary from the local newspaper and from The New York Times.

In the late 1960s Samm almost had a book completely censored. Judging by this journal entry at age 20, he was prepared.

Samm had always dreamt that he would be a successful writer. He also had little doubt about his ability.
Before Samm became a full-time writer, he pursued a career in advertising as suggested by his father. He was innovative and sucessful in the advertising business in New York City and helped found Stern's Nurseries, but he was anxious to quit business to write full-time.
Always self-promotional, this is the back of his stationary:

With the exception of personal letters held by other individuals before his death, Samm Sinclair Baker's papers have been donated to the Brown University Libraries' Special Collections.

On advertising:
"The one essential, driving aim of the agency's campaign is not to please and sell you, the public, but to sell the advertiser and get his initialed okay. The public is a poor also-ran."
Author: Samm Sinclair Baker

(c) copyright 1999, 2004, all rights reserved, Estate of Samm S. Baker or Estate of Natalie B. Baker. Page by Michael Cammer

(c) copyright 1999, 2004, all rights reserved,
Estate of Samm S. Baker or Estate of Natalie B. Baker.
Page by Michael Cammer