Robert Cromie facts for kids
Robert Cromie (1855–1907) was an Irish journalist and writer. He wrote many novels. His most famous book was The Crack of Doom (1895). This book was the first to describe an atomic explosion.
Early Life and School
Robert Cromie was born on July 17, 1855, in a place called Clough. His father was Dr. Cromie. Robert was the third son in his family.
He learned at home for a while. Later, he went to the Royal Belfast Academical Institution with his older brother. Robert once joked that he never failed an exam. This was because he never actually took one!
Starting His Career
Instead of going to college, Robert followed his brother Andrew. He started working at the Ulster Bank. He worked in different towns across Ireland. These included Donegal, Trim, and Derry.
His last job at the bank was in Belfast. While working in Trim, Robert became good friends with Charles Reichel. Charles was a bishop. This friendship helped Robert develop his writing style.
Becoming a Writer
Robert Cromie loved to write. His first book, For England's Sake, came out in 1889.
In 1890, he published A Plunge into Space. This was a science fiction novel. People really liked it. Even the famous writer Jules Verne wrote a special introduction for its second edition in 1891.
Cromie's book came out about 10 years before H. G. Wells wrote The First Men in the Moon. Cromie noticed that his book had some similar ideas. He wrote letters to a journal to point this out.
His most successful book was The Crack of Doom (1895). This novel is special because it describes an atomic explosion for the very first time.
Other Interests
In the 1880s, Robert Cromie also wrote many articles about cycling. He wrote for magazines like The Wheel World. He described his bicycle trips around a region called Ulster.
Robert also loved playing golf. He was a member of the Ormeau Golf Club. He even became the captain of the club in 1898.
His Passing
Robert Cromie passed away in April 1907. He was living in Belfast at the time. He never married.
