Robert A. Heinlein

He married thrice in his lifetime. The first was to Elinor Curry in 1929. The relationship did not work out and the two separated a year later in 1930.

He later married Leslyn MacDonald in 1932. She remained his partner for fifteen years. She undertook various travels with him and assisted him in his write ups. The couple applied for divorce in 1947.

In 1948, he tied the nuptials for a third time to Virginia ‘Ginny’Gerstenfeld. He remained with her until his death forty years later.

Robert A. Heinlein was born on July 7, 1907 to Rex Ivar Heinlein and Bam Lyle Heinlein in Butler, Missouri. He was the third child of the couple.

Much of his growing up years was spent in Kansas City, the place where the Heinlein family shifted a few months after his birth. The place had an overwhelming influence in shaping his personality and his works.

He developed an interest in astronomy from a very young age. By the time he was 16, he read almost every book available on astronomy and science fiction.

Completing his preliminary education from Central High School, he enrolled himself at the Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1925. He graduated from the same in 1929 with a BS degree in Naval Engineering.

Upon gaining his graduation degree, he served as an officer in the Navy. In 1931, he was commissioned to work under radio communications in the new aircraft carrier USS Lexington.

From 1933 to 1934, he served on-board USS Roper, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He was relieved from his duties in 1934 following diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

For a brief duration, he attended graduate classes in mathematics and physics at the University of California at Los Angeles but did not continue with the same for long. He then pursued a career in politics.

To survive a living, he took up various jobs including in real estate sales and silver mining. He was an active supporter of the Upton Sinclair’s End Poverty movement and supported the former during his democratic nomination for Governorship.

His first attempt at politics was an unsuccessful one, for a seat in the California State Assembly in 1938. The crushing defeat and burden of mortgage left him with no choice but to forego his second career option as well.

He was named by the Science Fiction Writers of America as its first Grand Master in 1974.

An asteroid, 6312 Robheinlein (1990 RH4), discovered on September 14, 1990 by H. E. Holt, has been named after him.

In 1998, he was inducted in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame

In 2001, ‘Robert A. Heinlein Chair In Aerospace Engineering’ was created by the United States Naval Academy.

In 2013, he was announced as an inductee in the Hall of Famous Missourians. His bronze statue would be one of the forty four which would be permanently displayed in the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.