Robert C. O'Brien (1918-1973) was, in private life, Robert Leslie Conly, senior assistant editor of National Geographic Magazine where he worked for over twenty years. He was born in New York and lived most of his adult life in Virginia. He wrote three books for children, including the acclaimed MRS FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH which won the prestigious Newbery Medal. His haunting young adult novel Z FOR ZACHARIAH was completed posthumously by his wife, Sally, and daughter, Jane, using the author's notes.