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American writer (1909–1969) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Arthur Jr. (November 10, 1909 – May 2, 1969) was a writer and editor of crime fiction and speculative fiction[1] known for his work with The Mysterious Traveler radio series and for writing The Three Investigators, a series of young adult novels.[2][3]
Robert Arthur Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Robert Arthur Jr. at work during 1950. | |
| Born | Robert Arthur Jr. November 10, 1909 Corregidor, Philippines |
| Died | May 2, 1969 (aged 59) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Genre | Crime fiction, speculative fiction, mystery fiction |
For his radio work, Arthur—together with writing partner David Kogan—was honored with three Edgar Awards by the Mystery Writers of America.[4][5][6] He also adapted at least one story, and had several of his own adapted by others, for Alfred Hitchcock's TV show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents.[7]
Arthur was born on November 10, 1909, in Fort Mills, Corregidor Island in the Philippines while his father, Robert Arthur Sr., was stationed there as a lieutenant in the United States Army. Arthur spent his childhood moving from place to place, wherever his father was stationed.[8]
Although he was accepted to West Point Arthur decided not to pursue a military career like his father and instead in 1926 enrolled at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia. After two years, he transferred to the University of Michigan, where he graduated from with a B.A. in English in 1930.
Arthur died at the age of fifty-nine in Philadelphia, on May 2, 1969.[9]
After graduating, he worked as an editor and later returned to the University of Michigan where he completed his M.A. in Journalism in 1932.[10]
His stories were published in, among other magazines, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mercury Mystery , Amazing Stories, Argosy All-Story Weekly, Black Mask, Collier's, Detective Fiction Weekly, Detective Tales, Double Detective, The Illustrated Detective Magazine, The Phantom Detective, The Shadow, Startling Stories, Street & Smith's Detective Story Magazine, Thrilling Detective, Unknown Worlds and Wonder Stories.
Additionally, Arthur wrote a number of mystery novels for children and young adults. His most successful stories were a series of mystery books called The Three Investigators.
In 1959, he moved to Hollywood and began writing and editing screenplays and scripts for television shows.[11]
Arthur, along with his writing partner David Kogan, was honored three times by the Mystery Writers of America with Edgar Awards for his radio work: twice for "best radio drama"—in 1950 for Murder by Experts and 1953 for The Mysterious Traveler[12][13]—and once, regarding his work on both of the aforementioned shows, in 1951 for "outstanding achievement in producing, directing and writing radio mystery shows."[6]
Other radio credits include: Dark Destiny (1942), Adventure Into Fear (1945), The Sealed Book (1945), The Teller of Tales (1950) and Mystery Time (1952).
Three Investigator novels numbered 10 and 12 to 43 were written by other authors.
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