He then went through a period that he referred to as his "breakdown", briefly working in Albany, New York, before going back to his family in disgrace.

He was ineligible for conscription during World War II, as unfit due to physical and mental ailments (classification 4-F in later terms).

[1] Conly is best known for writing novels under the name "Robert C. O'Brien", from his mother's maiden name, used because his National Geographic contract "forb[ade] him from publishing with any other company".

He won the 1972 Newbery Medal for the latter and his comments at the American Library Association annual conference were read by his editor Jean Karl to preserve his anonymity.

[4] After his death in 1973, Sally and their daughter Jane finished the latter novel using his notes so it could be published posthumously.