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Author of such revered books as
PORTRAIT OF JENNIE, THE
BISHOP’S WIFE, MR. WHITTLE
AND THE MORNING STAR, and
STONECLIFF, Robert Nathan was
born in New York City in 1894 and
was educated at private schools in
the United States and Switzerland.
While attending Harvard University
where he was a classmate with E.E.
Cummings, Nathan was an editor of
the Harvard Monthly, in which his first
stories and poems appeared. While
at Cambridge, Nathan also found the
time to become an accomplished
cellist, a lightweight boxer, and
Captain of the fencing team. After
leaving college, Mr. Nathan devoted
his time exclusively to writing until
his passing in 1985.
Early on, Nathan’s work strengthened
his reputation with both the public
and peers. F. Scott Fitzgerald once
referred to Robert Nathan as his
favorite writer. During this period, the
legendary Louis B. Mayer contracted
him to Hollywood to become a
screenwriter. Nathan ultimately didn’t
enjoy the experience, though the
movie industry continually craved his
work. Five of his novels have been
made into films. The aforementioned
“Portrait of Jennie” and “The Bishop’s
Wife,” as well as “One More Spring,”
“Wake Up and Dream” (from the novel
“The Enchanted Voyage”) and “Color
of Evening.”
Robert Nathan was the author of
over fifty volumes of novels, poetry,
and plays, and from this body of
distinguished work he acquired a
reputation as a master of satiric
fantasy unique in American Letters.
In the twilight of his career he was
known as “The Dean of Author’s,”
since many prominent writers including
Irving Stone and Irving Wallace
sought out Nathan’s guidance.
A member of the National Institute
of Arts and Letters for fifty years, Mr.
Nathan called both Cape Cod and
California home. Happily, his last
fifteen years were spent in the
companionship of his wife, English born
actress, Anna Lee.
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