Robert Nathan

Robert Gruntal Nathan, an American novelist and poet, was born into a prominent New York Sephardic Jewish family in 1894. He received private education in Switzerland and attended Phillips Exeter Academy before Harvard University, where his early writings appeared in the Harvard Monthly. Nathan left Harvard to support his family, marrying as a junior. His debut novel, 'Peter Kindred' (1919), met with critical failure, but his fortunes changed in the 1920s with several successful novels, including 'The Bishop's Wife,' which was later adapted into a successful film.

His literary success continued through the 1930s and 1940s. His 1933 novel 'One More Spring' was filmed in 1935. His most celebrated book, 'Portrait of Jennie' (1940), a fantasy novel about an artist and his muse who seems to exist outside of time, was also adapted into a film. Nathan also worked as a screenwriter for MGM, contributing to films like 'The White Cliffs of Dover' (1944) and 'The Clock' (1945). He also wrote and narrated an episode of the CBS Radio Workshop in 1956. Nathan was married to actress Anna Lee from 1970 until his death in 1985. He came from a distinguished family, with notable relatives in activism, writing, and law.

Robert Nathan's writing career spanned several decades, beginning with early publications in college literary magazines. While his first novel, 'Peter Kindred,' was not well-received, Nathan found significant success in the 1920s and 1930s. His novels, such as 'The Bishop's Wife' and 'One More Spring,' gained popularity and were adapted into films. A notable work is 'Portrait of Jennie' (1940), a fantasy novel that has been recognized as a significant contribution to the genre. This novel, which delves into themes of art, time, and the ethereal, was also adapted into a film, further cementing its place in popular culture. Nathan's work often blended elements of fantasy and realism, exploring imaginative concepts within relatable human experiences.

Beyond his novels and poetry, Robert Nathan also contributed to the film industry as a screenwriter. He penned scripts for films including 'The Clock' (1945) and '3 Godfathers' (1948), though the latter was rejected. He also added poetry for the film adaptation of 'The White Cliffs of Dover' (1944). Nathan's engagement with media extended to radio, where he wrote and narrated an episode of the CBS Radio Workshop in 1956 titled 'A Pride of Carrots, or Venus Well-Served.' This demonstrates a versatility in his creative output, adapting his storytelling to different formats.