Pat Conroy , is a New York Times bestselling writer who has written several acclaimed stories and memoirs. Two of his stories, The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, were made into Oscar-nominated movies.
Born Donald Patrick Conroy, he was the eldest of seven children born to Marine Colonel Donald Conroy, of Chicago and the former Frances Peggy Peck of Georgia. Conroy grew up in a military family, moving many times during his childhood and adolescence and never having a hometown, as his family followed his dad, a fighter pilot, as he was transferred from military base to military base. Conroy moved 23 times before he was 18 years old.
(Pat Conroy photo #2)
Conroy has shared that his novels have been heavily influenced by his military brat upbringing, and in particular, difficulties experienced with his own dad, a Us Marine Corps pilot, who was physically and emotionally abusive toward his children, and the pain of a youth growing up in such a harsh environment is evident in Conroy's stories, particularly The Great Santini. While he was living in Orlando, Florida, Conroy's 5th grade basketball team defeated a team of 6th graders, making the sport his prime outlet for bottled-up emotions for more than a dozen years. Conroy also cites his family's constant military-related moves, and growing up immersed in military culture as significant influences in his life.
Pat Conroy
