Nathaniel Benchley facts for kids

Nathaniel Goddard Benchley (born November 13, 1915 – died December 14, 1981) was an American writer from Massachusetts. He was known for his many books for children and adults. He also wrote biographies and humorous stories. Nathaniel Benchley was the son of a famous writer and the father of another well-known author.

Early Life and Military Service

Nathaniel Benchley was born in Newton, Massachusetts. His father, Robert Benchley, was a famous American writer, humorist, and actor. Robert was also one of the founders of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers and artists in New York City. Nathaniel went to Phillips Exeter Academy and then to Harvard College.

Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Benchley joined the U.S. Navy. He worked as a public relations officer. He also served on destroyers and patrol boats during World War II. He helped protect ships carrying supplies across the North Atlantic. Later, in 1945, he moved to the Pacific part of the war.

Becoming a Writer

After World War II, Nathaniel Benchley worked for Newsweek magazine. He was an assistant drama editor there. His first book, Side Street, came out in 1950. It was a funny novel about families living in New York City.

In 1955, he wrote a biography about his famous father, Robert Benchley. This book helped people learn more about his dad's life. In 1960, he published his second novel, Sail a Crooked Ship. That same year, he released his first children's book. It was a retelling of stories from Sindbad the Sailor.

Books for Young Readers

Nathaniel Benchley wrote many popular books for children. These stories often taught readers about different animals or historical times. For example, Oscar Otter was about an otter, and Sam the Minuteman was set during the American Revolution.

He explored many different places and topics in his children's books.

• Bright Candles tells the story of a 16-year-old Danish boy. It shows his experiences during the German occupation of Denmark in World War II.
• Small Wolf is about a Native American boy. He meets white settlers on the island of Manhattan. The story shows how their ideas about land were very different.

Books Turned into Movies

Some of Benchley's adult novels were made into movies.

• His 1960 novel, Sail a Crooked Ship, became a comedy movie in 1961.
• The Off-Islanders (1961) was made into the funny movie The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming in 1965.
• The Visitors (1965) became a horror-comedy film called The Spirit Is Willing in 1967.

Benchley was also a friend of the famous actor Humphrey Bogart. He wrote a biography about Bogart that came out in 1975. His 1968 novel, Welcome to Xanadu, was made into a TV drama called Sweet Hostage in 1975.

Family Life

Nathaniel Benchley married Margaret Bradford soon after college. They lived in New York City and had two sons.

Their older son, Peter Benchley (1940–2006), became a very famous writer. Peter is best known for his novel Jaws. This book was later made into the blockbuster movie Jaws by director Steven Spielberg in 1975.

Their younger son, Nat Benchley, is also a writer and actor. Nat has even played his grandfather, Robert Benchley, in a special one-man stage show. The show included Robert Benchley's best speeches and stories. Nat shared family memories and friends' views of his grandfather.

Nathaniel Benchley passed away in 1981 in Boston. He was buried in the family plot in Nantucket.

Selected Works