Robert Cantwell — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Author of *Laugh and Lie Down* (1931), an early example of the "road novel" and "Depression novel" genres.
Authored *The Land of Plenty* (1934), a novel focusing on a lumber mill in his Washington hometown.
Served as literary editor for *New Outlook* magazine from November 1932 until its close in 1935.
Worked as assistant literary editor at *The New Republic* between 1933 and 1936.
Co-wrote a biography of E. A. Filene in collaboration with Lincoln Steffens from 1933 to 1937.
Published numerous short stories in publications including *The New American Caravan*, *The Miscellany*, *American Caravan*, *Pagany*, and *The New Republic*.

Biography

Robert Emmett Cantwell (1908–1978) was an American novelist and critic, born in Little Falls (now Vader), Washington. He attended the University of Washington from 1924 to 1925 and later worked at Harbor Plywood Co. from 1925 to 1929. The 1919 massacre during a strike in Centralia, Washington, deeply influenced his major writings, leaving a lasting impression.

In 1929, after selling his short story "Hanging by My Thumbs" to *The New American Caravan*, Cantwell moved to New York City.