Robert edmund cormier biography

American writer and journalist (1925–2000)

This article is about the writer. For the colonist, see Robert Cormier (colonist).

Robert Edmund Cormier (January 17, 1925 – November 2, 2000) was an American writer and journalist, known for his deeply pessimistic novels, many of which were written for young adults.

Recurring themes include abuse, mental illness, violence, revenge, betrayal, and conspiracy. In most of his novels, the protagonists do not win.^[1]

Cormier's more popular works include I Am the Cheese, After the First Death, We All Fall Down, and The Chocolate War, all of which have won awards.

The Chocolate War has been challenged in multiple libraries.^[2]

Early life and education

Robert Cormier was born in 1925 in Leominster, Massachusetts in the French-Canadian section of the town called French Hill.^[3] He was the second of eight children.^[3] His family moved frequently to afford rent, but never lef