Robert M. McClung
Robert M. McClung was a notable 20th-century writer and illustrator, recognized particularly for his contributions to children's literature. Born in Pennsylvania, he developed a deep appreciation for nature during his childhood on a family farm. After graduating from Princeton University with a degree in biology, McClung served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II as a landing signal officer on the USS Kula Gulf. Following the war, he worked in advertising while pursuing his passion for writing, which culminated in the publication of his first book, *Wings in the Woods*, in 1948.
McClung furthered his education in zoology at Cornell University and worked as an assistant zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo, experiences that heavily influenced his writing. He is best known for his book *The True Adventures of Grizzly Adams*, and his biography *Hugh Glass, Mountain Man* received a nomination for the Prairie Pasque Award in 1993. McClung's works often reflect his lifelong fascination with animals and the natural world, making his contributions significant in the realm of children's literature.
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Robert M. McClung
Nonfiction and Children's Literature Writer
- Born: September 10, 1916
- Birthplace: Butler, Pennsylvania
- Died: June 24, 2006
- Place of death: Northampton, Massachusetts
Biography
Robert M. McClung, a twentieth century writer and illustrator of children’s books, was born in Pennsylvania. He spent his childhood enjoying nature and the animals on his family farm. He graduated from Butler Senior High School in 1934 and then spent one year attending Northwood School, a boys’ preparatory school, in Lake Placid, New York. In 1939, McClung graduated from Princeton University in New Jersey, with a degree in biology. After receiving his degree, McClung lived and worked at the Stuyvesant Neighborhood House, which was a center for neighborhood youth. In addition, McClung volunteered at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
In 1940, with World War II imminent, McClung joined the V-7 training program of the United States Naval Reserve. He received flight-carrier training and was eventually stationed in the South Pacific on the carrier USS Kula Gulf, where he served as a landing signal officer. After his discharge in 1946, McClung returned to New York City and worked during the day at an advertising agency. At night, he attended writing classes at New York University. At this time, he met and married his wife Gale Stubbs. Together they had two sons. McClung excelled in his writing courses and in 1948, he published his first book, titled Wings in the Woods. This work reflected his happy childhood exploring nature on his family’s farm in Pennsylvania.
McClung retained his childhood fascination with animals and decided to pursue a degree in zoology. In 1947, he entered the graduate program at Cornell University in New York, where he earned a master’s degree in zoology. He then accepted a position as an assistant zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo. Throughout this time, McClung wrote and illustrated several children’s books, most of which were about zoo animals.
In 1958, McClung took a position writing for National Geographic. However, due to company regulations, McClung was unable to pursue his own writing endeavors while employed by the magazine. For this reason, McClung left National Geographic in 1962. Subsequently, he moved his family to Amherst, Massachusetts, where he wrote and published numerous children’s books. McClung was best known for his work The True Adventures of Grizzly Adams. His biography Hugh Glass, Mountain Man was nominated for the 1993 Prairie Pasque Award.