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Robert C. O'Brien

ロバート・シー・オブライエン

Robert C. O'Brien

Aliases: Robert Leslie Carroll Conly / ロバート・レスリー・キャロル・コンリー
Pen Names: Robert C. O'Brien（Pen name taken from his mother's maiden name; used because his National Geographic contract restricted publishing under his legal name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1918-01-11 （Brooklyn, New York, U.S.）
Died
1973-03-05 （Washington, D.C., U.S.） age 55
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Religion
Irish Catholic
Residence History
Brooklyn (birth) → Virginia (residence) → Washington, D.C. (later residence, near workplace)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Journalist, Editor
Active Years
1944-1973
Affiliations
National Geographic (editor, writer), Washington Times-Herald (reporter)

Education

Williams College
Period: 1935–1936（中退）
Country: United States
Left in his second year
Juilliard (studied briefly)
Period: 短期間在学
Country: United States
Studied music for a short period
University of Rochester
English
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English
Period: 1938–1940（在学・卒業）
Year of Graduation: 1940
Country: United States
Received a Bachelor of Arts in English

Awards

Newbery Medal
1972
Work: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: Winner
Edgar Award (Best Juvenile Mystery)
1976
Work: Z for Zachariah
Category: Best Juvenile Mystery
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Silver Crown

1968 Children's literature, Fantasy

A children's fantasy about a young girl who finds a mysterious silver crown and is drawn into an adventure; a tale of imagination and courage.

Coming of ageAdventureCourage

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

1971 Children's literature, Fantasy

Mrs. Frisby, a mouse, must save her family and enlists the help of highly intelligent rats who were altered by scientific experiments; explores community, intelligence, and ethical questions.

FamilyCommunityScience and ethics
Adaptations
  • [Animated film] The Secret of NIMH / Don Bluth (1982)
  • [Animated film (sequel/derivative)] The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue (1998)

A Report from Group 17

1972 Science fiction, Intended for adults

A novel dealing with scientific research during the Cold War and its ethical implications; one of his later works intended for adult readers.

Science and ethicsPower and responsibility

Z for Zachariah

1974 Dystopia, Post-apocalyptic

Follows a young woman named Ann (Zachariah) surviving in a post-disaster world and her interactions with others; themes of survival, morality, and isolation. Published posthumously, completed by family from his notes.

SurvivalIsolationMoral choices
Adaptations
  • [Feature film] Z for Zachariah / Craig Zobel (2015)

Bibliography

  • The Silver Crown — 1968
  • Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH — 1971
  • A Report from Group 17 — 1972
  • Z for Zachariah — 1974 (posthumous)

Adaptations

  • The Secret of NIMH — 1982 (based on Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH)
  • The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue — 1998 (derivative)
  • Z for Zachariah — 2015 (film adaptation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Concise, descriptive proseChild-friendly narrationTaut, restrained depiction in adult-oriented works
Recurring Motifs
Questions of science and ethicsFamily and community bondsSurvival and moral choice

Health

  • Glaucoma
    1960年代（進行）
    Became unable to drive, which led to moving closer to work and freed time for writing
  • Heart attack (fatal)
    1973年に発症
    Died of a heart attack in 1973

Legacy

Robert C. O'Brien is regarded as an important author of children's literature, best known for Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Newbery Medal, 1972). His work was adapted into films (notably The Secret of NIMH) and continued by his daughter Jane Leslie Conly; his later manuscripts were published posthumously, showing engagement with adult themes.

Archives

  • Library of Congress (holds records/catalog entries)

In Popular Culture

  • Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is widely known through the animated film The Secret of NIMH

Trivia

  • The pen name "Robert C. O'Brien" comes from his mother's maiden name and was used because his National Geographic contract restricted publishing under his legal name.
  • Z for Zachariah was completed and published posthumously by his wife Sally and daughter Jane from his notes.
  • His daughter Jane Leslie Conly later wrote sequels to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.