| Robbie Branscum | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robbie Nell Tilley June 17, 1937 Big Flat, Arkansas |
| Died | May 24, 1997 (aged 59) San Pablo, California |
| Occupation | author, farmworker |
| Nationality | American |
| Period | 1971-1991 |
| Genres | children's literature young adult fiction |
| Notable award(s) | Edgar Award, Friends of American Writers Award, PEN Award |
| Spouse(s) | Dwane Branscum |
| Children | Deborah Branscum |
Robbie Nell Tilley Branscum (June 17, 1937 — May 24, 1997) was an American writer of children's books and young adult fiction. Her books were awarded with a Friends of American Writers Award (1977) and an Edgar Award (1983).[1][2]
Robbie was born on a farm near Big Flat, Arkansas. Her father died when she was only 4 years old and she grew up with her poor grandparents on another farm. Branscum dropped out from school after the seventh-grade. She continued to read books and write poetry and songs[3] and provided for her livelihood through work at dirt farms.[1] At the age of 15 she married Dwane Bransum. She gave birth to a daughter and divorced at the age of 25.[4]
Her life took a major turn after the newsletter of her church, the Southern Baptist, printed an article she had written. Subsequently she decided to become an author. Her first book was Me and Jim Luke (1971). Branscum published 20 books in 20 years time. She worked with literary agent Barthold Fles.[5] Branscum died from a heart attack in 1997 in her home in San Pablo, California.[1]