Robert C O'Brien

In real life, Robert C. O'Brien was Robert Leslie Conly. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, attended Williams College and graduated from the University of Rochester. He studied piano at the Eastman School of Music, and at one time considered becoming a musician. Instead, he became a writer and editor for such magazines as "Newsweek" and "National Geographic." He lived in New York City and then in Washington, D.C., and he and his wife had one son and three daughters. His other books for young...See more

In real life, Robert C. O'Brien was Robert Leslie Conly. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, attended Williams College and graduated from the University of Rochester. He studied piano at the Eastman School of Music, and at one time considered becoming a musician. Instead, he became a writer and editor for such magazines as "Newsweek" and "National Geographic." He lived in New York City and then in Washington, D.C., and he and his wife had one son and three daughters. His other books for young readers include the Newbery Medal winner "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, " which was the basis for the animated film "The Secret of NIMH, " and "Z for Zachariah, " which was completed by his wife and daughter with the help of his notes after his death in 1973. See less