Donna Grabara, age 14, of Keen, N.H., for her question:

WHO WAS EDWARD EVERETT HALE?

Edward Everett Hale was a Unitarian clergyman, editor and humanitarian. He wrote many books and a short story called "The Man Without a Country." The short story has remained well known, even though it was written more than 100 years ago, in 1863.

"The Man Without a Country" is the story of a man named Philip Nolan, a young Army officer. During his trial by court martial, Nolan exclaimed that he wished he would never hear of the United States again.

In the story, Nolan was put on a ship with instructions that no one was ever again to give him any news of his own land; however, before he died, he redeemed himself and begged for reconciliation with his country.

Hales story caused such a sensation that many people failed to realize that it was fiction. It has been said that Hales formula in his stories was to take an impossible situation and make it appear probable by simplicity and directness.

Hale was born in Boston, the son of Nathan Hale, first editor of the Boston Daily Advertiser, and grandnephew of Nathan Hale, the Revolutionary War hero. Hale was graduated from Harvard College when he was only 17 years old.