First appearing in nickel Chapter Books in 1896 Frank Merriwell of Yale, a clear eyed, clean limbed young lad who excelled at football, baseball, basketball, rowing and track, also found time to solve mysteries and right wrongs. *
Later the character made the change to books, comic books, radio and film. Street and Smith still owns the rights to the name to this day, just as they do with Doc Savage, The Shadow and The Avenger, however as yet no one has expressed an interest in bringing him back.
* And he was always obedient and polite to his elders too you young punks!