Nora Adela Rogers, later known as Adela Rogers St. Johns, was born on May 20, 1894, in Los Angeles, California. She was the daughter of Earl Rogers, a renowned criminal defense attorney, who tragically succumbed to his addiction at a relatively young age.
Adela's father, Earl Rogers, was a brilliant barrister who had earned a reputation for winning seemingly impossible cases. His expertise was so respected that another legal legend, Clarence Darrow, sought his assistance in a high-profile jury tampering case. Earl Rogers was also a close friend of William Randolph Hearst, a powerful newspaper baron.
At the tender age of nineteen, Adela began her career as a reporter for the "San Francisco Examiner", a newspaper owned by Hearst. She quickly rose through the ranks, covering a wide range of topics, including crime, sports, politics, and high society.
As she gained experience, Adela transitioned from newspaper reporting to freelance writing. During the Roaring Twenties, she made a living by interviewing celebrities for "Photoplay Magazine", a prominent film industry publication. She also began publishing short stories in top-tier magazines, such as Hearst's "Cosmopolitan".
Adela's writing career continued to flourish, and she eventually became a screenwriter before returning to her roots as a journalist. She remained a reporter until 1948, when she shifted her focus to writing books and teaching.
In recognition of her contributions to the field of journalism, Adela was awarded the Presidential Medal for Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by President Richard Nixon in 1970. She continued to work as a journalist, covering the trial of Patricia Hearst, the granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst, in 1976.
Adela Rogers St. Johns was married twice, first to Richard Irving Hyland and then to Ivan St. Johns. She passed away on August 10, 1988, at the age of 94, in Arroyo Grande, California.
