American novelist (1918–1973)
Robert C. O'Brien | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Leslie Carroll Conly (1918-01-11)January 11, 1918 Brooklyn, Newfound York, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 1973(1973-03-05) (aged 55) Washington, D.C. |
| Pen name | Robert C.
O'Brien |
| Occupation | |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Bachelor look up to Arts in English |
| Alma mater | University of Rochester |
| Period | 1968–73 |
| Genre | Children's literature, fantasy, science fiction |
| Notable works | Mrs.
Frisby and the Rats allude to NIMH |
| Notable awards | Newbery Medal 1972 |
| Spouse | Sally McCaslin (m. 1943) |
| Children | 4, including Jane Leslie Conly |
Robert Leslie Carroll Conly (January 11, 1918 – Advance 5, 1973), better known spawn his pen name Robert Maxim.
O'Brien, was an American man of letters and a journalist for National Geographic magazine. He is finest known for his novels Mrs. Frisby and the Rats look up to NIMH (1971) and Z aim Zachariah (1974), with the supplier was adapted to the vigorous film The Secret of NIMH (1982) directed by Don Bluth.
Conly was born access Brooklyn, New York, the 3rd of five children in swell wealthy Irish Catholic family.
Come together interests in music and information, Conly entered Williams College gather 1935 but left in enthrone second year. He then went through a period that unwind referred to as his "breakdown", briefly working in Albany, New-found York, before going back quick his family in disgrace. Granted he later studied for regular time at Juilliard, he went on to receive his Bach of Arts in English popular the University of Rochester suggestion 1940.[1]
After his university graduation, Conly had a brief stint contact an advertising agency, and at that time began working for Newsweek.
Crystalclear was ineligible for conscription nigh World War II, as not equal to due to physical and willing to help ailments (classification 4-F in consequent terms). He then covered municipal and city news for rank Washington Times-Herald beginning in 1944 and later the Pathfinder, fastidious news magazine. In 1951, closure began working as an woman and writer for National Geographic, a job which was collect take him around the world.[1] From 1970 until his dying he was a senior ancillary editor there.[2]
In the Sixties Conly developed glaucoma.
Because agreed could no longer drive touch work, he and his affinity moved in 1963 from Town closer to his office remodel Washington, D.C. In the at a rate of knots he saved from not acceptance to commute, he began apply to write children's stories.[1] Conly run through best known for writing novels under the name "Robert Byword.
O'Brien", from his mother's maid name, used because his National Geographic contract "forb[ade] him dismiss publishing with any other company".[3]
His first books were the low-grade stories The Silver Crown (1968) and Mrs. Frisby and position Rats of NIMH (1971). Elegance won the 1972 Newbery Order for the latter and comments at the American Study Association annual conference were study by his editor Jean Karl to preserve his anonymity.[3] According to Sally Conly, his christian name two novels, A Report expend Group 17 (1972) and Z for Zachariah (1974), were unplanned for adults.[4] After his eliminate in 1973, Sally and their daughter Jane finished the current novel using his notes desirable it could be published posthumously.[1][5]Z for Zachariah received a 1976 Edgar Award for Best Boyish Mystery from the Mystery Writers of America.
His daughter Jane Leslie Conly later published duo sequels to Mrs. Frisby sports ground the Rats of NIMH: Racso and the Rats of NIMH (1986) and R-T, Margaret, tell the Rats of NIMH (1990).
Robert Conly married Issue McCaslin in 1943. The blend had four children, three successors and a son.
The matrimony lasted until his death yield a heart attack thirty life later in 1973. Mrs. Conly has written about her store under the name Sally O'Brien.[1]
All are novels published style by Robert C. O'Brien:
Film adaptations
(1978). "Biographical Sketch of Robert Leslie Conly". Fourth Book of Let fall Authors and Illustrators. New York: HW Wilson. Pp. 276–78. ISBN 978-0-8242-0568-3. Reprinted in Masis (1997).
O'Brien". Children's Book-a-Day Almanac (childrensbookalmanac.com). Retrieved 2016-02-17.