Robert Edmund Cormier was a well-known columnist, author and journalist. He was born on January 17, 1925 in Leominster, Massachusetts, to Irma and Lucien Cormier. He was the second of eight children and loved spending time with his family. Family has always been more important than fame or fortune to Cormier. His hard work and commitment led him to jobs that helped him become an excellent writer. Throughout his life he wrote many award-winning books; two of his best-known books are The Chocolate War and Now and at the Hour. Used to escape the harsh truths of life, writing was Cormier's (Smith) favorite pastime. During his childhood, his family moved several times in the French Hill area, but the family never left Leominster where his father, Lucien, provided for the family. while working in local factories. They moved frequently as the family grew so they could pay rent during the Depression (Hubbard). Cormier never felt a close connection with his father, as he was always busy working to support the family. Growing up, his mother was always his biggest fan and encouraged him in everything he chose to do (Cormier). Although his mother was Irish, the Cormiers spoke English at home. Cormier always chose to write in English, but the characters in his stories had French-sounding names (Smith). Cormier was a bookish child and not particularly good at physical activities. He loved reading all types of books and was happiest when he was at home with his family (Smith). Cormier attended St. Cecilia Parish School, a private Catholic school in the Leominster area. Experiences at school greatly influenced his life and writing in many different ways. In sixth grade, a nun encouraged him to write; it was the f...... middle of paper ...... perspectives. When he was a student, teachers always encouraged him to write short stories and poems. The young Cormier did not imagine that he would one day be a writer; he believed that writers only came from rich and important families. He was not born into wealth or glory; he worked hard to get jobs that would one day make him a famous author. The legacy he created has not left him, it remains in each of his fascinating books.Works CitedCormier, Robert. The Rag and Bone Shop. New York: Random House, Inc., 2003. Hubbard, Michael LeBarron, and Andrea. Robert Cormier. 2002. April 9, 2014. Rothman, Ellen K. Robert Cormier. 2014. April 9, 2014. Smith, Nick. Biography of Robert Cormier (1925-2000). 2000. April 9 2014 .