Burnet, Dana, 1888-1962

Dana Burnet (1888-1962), a writer of short stories, plays and poems, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 3, 1888, and earned a law degree at Cornell University in 1911. He was a reporter and editor for the New York sun from 1911 to 1918. It was during this period that Burnet also began writing and publishing his own poems and short stories; his first book of poetry was published by Harper Brothers in 1915. Burnet and his second wife lived in Beverly Hills, Calif., until around 1948. During this time Burnet was writing screenplays, one of which was released as a film titled The great commandment in 1939. He also was employed for a brief time as a staff writer for Twentieth Century-Fox. He continued to write short stories and articles which were published in such magazines as Collier's, Saturday evening post, Good housekeeping, and Red book. In 1948, he and his wife moved to the Narragansett Bay community of Stonington, Conn., where he spent the rest of his life. Dana Burnet died on October 22, 1962.

From the description of Dana Burnet papers, 1915-1963. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 19469672

Dana Burnet (1888-1962), a writer of short stories, plays and poems, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 3, 1888. He was educated at Cornell University, where he earned a law degree in 1911.

Instead of practicing law, however, he immediately launched his writing career by serving as a reporter and editor for the New York Sun from 1911 to 1918. It was during this period that Burnet also began writing and publishing his own poems and short stories. A book entitled Poems was published by Harper Brothers in 1915.

Burnet was married twice: to Marguerite Dumary in 1913, and to Eugenia Chapin in 1936. He and his second wife lived in Beverly Hills, California, until around 1948. During this time Burnet was writing screenplays, one of which was released as a film titled The Great Commandment, in 1939. He also was employed for a brief time as a staff writer for Twentieth Century-Fox.

Meanwhile, Burnet continued to write and sell numerous short stories and articles which were published in such magazines as Collier's, Saturday Evening Post, Good Housekeeping, and Red Book . In 1948, he and his wife moved to the Narragansett Bay community of Stonington, Connecticut, where he spent the rest of his life. There he designed and built his own house in 1959.

Dana Burnet died on October 22, 1962.

From the guide to the Dana Burnet papers, 1915-1963, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)