Scott O'Dell Biography

Scott O'Dell Biography

(Scott O'Dell's Wife)

Birth Name

Odell Gabriel Scott

Pen Name

Scott O'dell
A publisher accidentally published his name incorrectly. Scott O'dell liked the new name so much that he decided to keep it.

Birth Date

May 23, 1898

Birth Place

Los Angeles, California

Death

October15,1989

Family Life

Scott O'Dell was married to Elizabeth Hall.
She is an author of adult and childrens novels.
Elizabeth Hall is a psychology professor. You can learn about her by visiting http://www.elizabethhall.net/bio.htm

Education

Scott O'dell attended Polytechnic High School in San Pedro, California. While he was in high school he was a star runner on the track team. After he finished high school he attended four different colleges, Claremont College and Stanford in the state of California, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Rome.

Military Service

Scott O'dell was a teenager when World War I started. When he was 20 years old he joined the army. He was at first a private in the army, but he did take some officer training classes. The war was over before he was able to finish training as an officer. When World War II started he was too old for the army, so he joined the Air Force. He was stationed at Shepherd Field in Texas.

Work History

Scott O'Dell's first job was to read and criticize movie scripts for Palmer Photoplay Company. His work at this company led him to publish his first book. This book was called Representatives of Photoplays. He began to work for Paramount Pictures Movie Studio where he mostly worked to create the movie sets. Scott O'Dell did perform in one scene in the movie Son of the Sheik.

Writer's History

Scott O'Dell began his writing career by writing for adults. He wrote his first book in 1934. It was called Women of Spain. Scott O'dell sold some stories to magazines and newspapers after World War II.

Hobbies

Scott O'Dell liked to visit places by the sea. He liked to take trips in boats and visit places where he could be in outdoor spaces. Another favorite activity was to watch sports on television. He did not enjoy watching basketball.