Robert C. O'Brien (author) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert C. O'Brien
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Robert C. O'Brien
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| Born | Robert Leslie Carroll Conly January 11, 1918 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 1973 (aged 55) Washington, D.C. |
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| Education | Bachelor of 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 of NIMH Z for Zachariah |
| Notable awards | Newbery Medal 1972 |
| Spouse |
Sally McCaslin
(m. 1943) |
| Children | 4, including Jane Leslie Conly |
Robert C. O'Brien was the pen name of Robert Leslie Carroll Conly. He was an American journalist and famous author of children's books. Readers know him best for his prize-winning classic, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. The story earned the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1972. Later, film director Don Bluth turned the book into the popular animated movie The Secret of NIMH.
Contents
Early life and education of Robert Conly
Robert was born on January 11, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up as the third of five children in an Irish Catholic family. Young Robert enjoyed reading books and playing music. He went to college at Williams College in 1935. Robert decided to leave school early to take a break. He worked for a brief period in Albany, New York.
Robert returned to school to pursue his artistic talents. He studied music for a short time at the famous Juilliard school. Later, he transferred to the University of Rochester. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1940. This degree helped launch his professional career as a researcher, reporter, and storyteller.
Robert Conly's career as an investigative reporter
After finishing college, Conly worked at an advertising company. Soon, he became a reporter for the magazine Newsweek. During World War II, doctors excused him from military service. The draft board gave him a 4-F medical status due to health concerns.
Conly then worked for the daily newspaper Washington Times-Herald. He spent years reporting local stories and big national events. Later, he joined the team at Pathfinder, a popular weekly news magazine.
In 1951, Conly accepted an exciting job at National Geographic. His writing and editing duties took him across the globe. He interviewed unique people and explored exotic places. In 1970, the magazine promoted him to senior assistant editor. He kept this important position until the end of his life.
How Robert Conly became an award-winning novelist
Finding time to write children's books
During the 1960s, Conly developed an eye condition called glaucoma. The vision trouble meant he could no longer drive safely. To solve this, his family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1963. Living closer to his office meant he did not spend hours traveling.
Conly used these extra hours each day to invent exciting tales. His employer had strict publishing rules that blocked him from using his real name. Because of this rule, he chose a secret pen name. He used his mother's maiden name, becoming the author Robert C. O'Brien.
Famous books by Robert C. O'Brien
His very first novel was a fantasy adventure called The Silver Crown, published in 1968. In 1971, he published Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. The thrilling plot follows a brave field mouse trying to save her sick son. Along the way, she meets laboratory rats who gained high intelligence.
The book won the 1972 Newbery Medal. To keep his real identity secret, his editor Jean Karl read his acceptance speech at the American Library Association meeting.
He followed that success with A Report from Group 17 in 1972. Conly passed away in 1973 before finishing his next book, Z for Zachariah. His wife Sally and daughter Jane Leslie Conly used his notes to complete it. The finished novel came out through posthumous publication in 1974. It received the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery from the Mystery Writers of America.
His daughter Jane also became an author. She wrote two fun sequels: Racso and the Rats of NIMH and R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH.
Family life of Robert Conly
Robert Conly married Sally McCaslin in 1943. They had four children together, including three daughters and one son. Robert loved his family dearly and enjoyed sharing tales with them. He passed away on March 5, 1973. His wife later published memories about his life under the name Sally O'Brien.
Complete list of published books and films
Novels published under his pen name
- The Silver Crown (Atheneum Books, 1968)
- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Atheneum, 1971)
- A Report from Group 17 (Macmillan, 1972)
- Z for Zachariah (Atheneum, 1974)
Movies based on his books
- The Secret of NIMH (1982)
- The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue (1998)
- Z for Zachariah (2015)
