Autobiography of Ray Bradbury

My name is Ray Douglas Bradbury. I was born in Waukegan, Illinois on April 22, 1920.

I was the third son of Leonard Spaulding Bradbury and Esther Marie Moberg Bradbury. My middle name derived from the actor Douglas Fairbanks.

In 1934 I moved to Los Angeles. For fun I would roller skate around the town and try to spot famous actors. I found a few such as Ray Harryhausen and radio star George Burns. I even wrote a joke for the Burns & Allen Show. That was the first pay I ever got as a writer.

In 1938 I graduated from some Los Angeles high school, I don't remember which one though. While I was in High school 2 of my teachers saw my gift for writing and inspired me to advance and become a writer. As my formal education ended in 1938 I continued to teach myself and further my knowledge.

After High School I began selling newspapers on Los Angeles street corners during the day, I would spend time in the library during the night. My first published short story was "Hallerbochen's Dilemma" It was printed in Imagination!, an amateur fan magazine. As I honed my writing skills I looked to established writers for guidance such as my mentors; Henry Kuttner, Leigh Brackett, Robert Heintein and Henry Hasse.

Finally in 1942 I write "The Lake" - the story which I discovered my distinctive writing style. After that I knew my calling as a writer and I gave up selling newspapers and started writing full time. In 1945 I received my first reward, one of my stories ("The Big Black and White Game") was selected for the Best American Short Stories.

In 1946 I met the girl of my dreams; Marguerite "Maggie" McClure. She was a graduate of UCLA. I met her at a book shop where she worked. We married September 27th, 1947. My best man was my mentor Ray Harryhausen.

In 1950 I established my reputation as a science fiction writer with the publication of "The Martian Chronicles". This book described man's attempt to colonize Mars, the effects of Colonization on the Martians, and the reaction to a massive nuclear war on Earth.

I have won many awards in my writing career such as the Benjamin Franklin Award. I have also had many of my works published in Best American Short Stories. On-top of this I