Henry Morton Robinson
Encyclopedia
Henry Morton Robinson was an American
novelist, best known for A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake
written with Joseph Campbell
and his 1950
novel The Cardinal, which Time
magazine reported was "The year's most popular book, fiction or nonfiction."
in 1923 after serving in the US Navy during the First World War.
He was an instructor in English at Columbia University
, and a senior editor at Reader's Digest
.
On December 23, 1960, he fell asleep in a hot bath after taking a sedative. Three weeks later, on January 13, 1961, he died in New York of complications from the resulting second- and third-degree burns.
He is buried in Artists Cemetery, Woodstock, Ulster County
, New York
. His son, Anthony Robinson
, is also a noted novelist.
nominated film in 1963
, directed by Otto Preminger
and starring Tom Tryon.
Robinson also wrote The Perfect Round (1947). An excerpt from that novel was adapted into a screenplay by Richard Carr and put to film by David Carradine
in a movie called Americana. The film won The People's Choice Award at the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival
, in 1981. Audiences liked the film, but it was not well received by critics.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
novelist, best known for A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake
A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake
A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake by mythologist Joseph Campbell and Henry Morton Robinson is a work of literary criticism. One of the first major texts to provide an in-depth analysis of Finnegans Wake , A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake is considered by many scholars to be a seminal work on the...
written with Joseph Campbell
Joseph Campbell
Joseph John Campbell was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience...
and his 1950
1950 in literature
The year 1950 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Kazuo Shimada wins the "Mystery Writer Of Japan" award for his book Shakai-bu Kisha .*Jack Kerouac has his first novel published....
novel The Cardinal, which Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine reported was "The year's most popular book, fiction or nonfiction."
Biography
Robinson was born in Boston and graduated from Columbia CollegeColumbia College of Columbia University
Columbia College is the oldest undergraduate college at Columbia University, situated on the university's main campus in Morningside Heights in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1754 by the Church of England as King's College, receiving a Royal Charter from King George II...
in 1923 after serving in the US Navy during the First World War.
He was an instructor in English at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, and a senior editor at Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
.
On December 23, 1960, he fell asleep in a hot bath after taking a sedative. Three weeks later, on January 13, 1961, he died in New York of complications from the resulting second- and third-degree burns.
He is buried in Artists Cemetery, Woodstock, Ulster County
Ulster County, New York
Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. His son, Anthony Robinson
Anthony Robinson (novelist)
Anthony Robinson is an American novelist and short story writer, and for many years a professor of creative writing at SUNY New Paltz.-Personal life:...
, is also a noted novelist.
Career
His best known novel The Cardinal details the life of Stephen Fermoyle, a young American priest who eventually becomes a Prince of the Church. The story is based in part on the career of Francis Joseph Cardinal Spellman, archbishop of New York (1939-1967). The novel was adapted to an Academy AwardAcademy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
nominated film in 1963
1963 in film
The year 1963 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* June 12 - Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Harrison and Richard Burton premieres at the Rivoli Theatre in New York City....
, directed by Otto Preminger
Otto Preminger
Otto Ludwig Preminger was an Austro–Hungarian-American theatre and film director.After moving from the theatre to Hollywood, he directed over 35 feature films in a five-decade career. He rose to prominence for stylish film noir mysteries such as Laura and Fallen Angel...
and starring Tom Tryon.
Robinson also wrote The Perfect Round (1947). An excerpt from that novel was adapted into a screenplay by Richard Carr and put to film by David Carradine
David Carradine
David Carradine was an American actor and martial artist, best known for his role as a warrior monk, Kwai Chang Caine, in the 1970s television series, Kung Fu, which later had a 1990s sequel series, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues...
in a movie called Americana. The film won The People's Choice Award at the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
, in 1981. Audiences liked the film, but it was not well received by critics.