Robert Nathan

Born in New York City on January 2, 1894, Robert Nathan was an American novelist and poet whose career stretched across much of the twentieth century. He studied in the United States and Switzerland and also attended Harvard, beginning to publish while still young before becoming a full-time writer.

Nathan became especially admired for novels that mixed romance, fantasy, and humor in a light, graceful way. Among his best-known books are Portrait of Jennie and The Bishop’s Wife, both of which reached even wider audiences through film adaptations.

He remained a prolific writer for decades, producing novels, poetry, and work for the screen. Robert Nathan died on May 25, 1985, in Los Angeles, leaving behind a body of work remembered for its warmth, elegance, and dreamlike charm.