Richard Edward Connell Jr. (October 17, 1893 – November 22, 1949) was an American author, screenwriter, and journalist. He is best known for his 1924 short story "The Most Dangerous Game." Connell was one of the most popular American short story writers of his time. His stories were published in The Saturday Evening Post and Collier's. He had equal success as a journalist and screenwriter and was nominated for an Academy Award in 1942 (Best Original Story) for the movie Meet John Doe (1941), directed by Frank Capra and based on his 1922 short story "A Reputation."

Life and career

Richard Edward Connell Jr. was born on October 17, 1893, in Poughkeepsie, New York, the son of Richard E. and Mary Miller Connell. He began his writing career for The Poughkeepsie Journal and attended Georgetown College for a year before going to Harvard University. While at Harvard, Connell edited The Lampoon and The Crimson. He subsequently worked on the city staff of The New York American and as a copy writer for J. Walter Thompson. Connell served in France with the US Army during World War I. While in the army, he was the editor of his camp's newspaper. After the war, he turned to writing short stories, and eventually wrote over 300.

  • Variety (1925) — includes "The Most Dangerous Game."
  • Ironies (1930) — includes "The Law Beaters."

References

  • Works by Richard Connell at Library of Short Stories
  • Richard Connell at The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
  • Additional biography and text of The Most Dangerous Game
  • Works by Richard Connell (public domain in Canada)
  • Louise Fox Connell Papers, 1904-1986 at Harvard University Library