Robert A. Heinlein.

Robert Anson Heinlein

Born 7 Jul 1907 Butler, United States

Died 8 May 1988 Carmel, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 119 yr If Living

9 min read

Reading time

1,723

Words

Sep 28, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Robert A. Heinlein graduated 20th out of 243 from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929 before tuberculosis ended his naval career. In 1939, he sold his first story ‘Lifeline’ to Astounding Stories for $70. Starship Troopers won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1960, followed by Stranger in a Strange Land in 1962. The Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award came in 1975.

Identity & family.

KIN · 2

Names, aliases, and relatives of Robert A. Heinlein — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Robert Anson Heinlein

Nicknames The Grand Master

Aliases Author, Robert Heinlein

Spouses: Virginia Doris Gerstenfeld Leslyn MacDonald

At a glance.

STATS

Robert A. Heinlein by the numbers — life, work, and family.

80 Years lived

20 Awards

2 Marriages

Who was Robert A. Heinlein?

BIOGRAPHY

Robert A. Heinlein — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Heinlein graduated 20th in a class of 243 from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929. Tuberculosis ended his naval career in 1934 after five years in the Pacific. Born July 7, 1907 in Butler, Missouri, he graduated from Central High School at 17 and spent a year at the University of Missouri before entering Annapolis.

Career

Lifeline, Heinlein’s first published story, appeared in Astounding Stories in August 1939 and sold for $70. During WWII, he worked as a research engineer for the Navy in Philadelphia and wrote 25 novels and short stories. Starship Troopers won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1960. Stranger in a Strange Land won the Hugo in 1962 and became a counterculture touchstone. He received the first Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award in 1975.

Personal life

In 1932, he married Leslyn MacDonald; they divorced in 1947. He married Virginia Doris Gerstenfeld in 1948, and she remained his wife until his death. He wrote seven days a week, six months a year, and traveled or relaxed the other six. His health declined in the late 1960s but improved after a major operation in 1982. His last novel, To Sail Beyond the Sunset, appeared in 1987.

Legacy

Larry Niven wrote a short story imagining Heinlein as a Navy admiral, showing his influence on other science fiction authors. He was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. Critics rank him among the Big Three of science fiction, and his works pushed social boundaries, especially Stranger in a Strange Land. Film adaptations of his novels continue to appear and influence the genre.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 9

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Robert A. Heinlein — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Prometheus Award – Hall of Fame
Inkpot Award
Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award
Hugo Award for Best Novel
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame
Retro Hugo Award for Best Novel
Retro Hugo Award for Best Novella
Retro Hugo Award for Best Novelette
Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 11

A wall of memorable lines from Robert A. Heinlein — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch.
Never Underestimate the Power of Human Stupidity.
How We Behave Toward Cats Here Below Determines Our Status in Heaven.
Don’t Cripple Your Kids by Making Life Too Easy for Them.
You Have Attributed Conditions to Villainy That Simply Result from Stupidity.
Progress Isn’t Made by Early Risers. It’s Made by Lazy Men Trying to Find Easier Ways to Do Something.
There Is No Worse Tyranny Than to Force a Man to Pay for What He Does Not Want Merely Because You Think It Would Be Good for Him.
Specialization Is for Insects.
Service Men Are Not Brighter Than Civilians. in Many Cases Civilians Are Much More Intelligent.
Instead Pay It Forward to Some Other Brother Who Needs It.
Love Is That Condition in Which the Happiness of Another Person Is Essential to Your Own.

Did you know?

FACTS · 6

Little-known facts about Robert A. Heinlein — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Robert A. Heinlein’s first book, For Us, the Living 1938, was actually the last to be published, discovered as a lost manuscript after his death and published in 2003.
When writing short stories, he was so prolific that he would sometimes have two or even three stories in the same magazine issue. To disguise this, at most one was published under his own name. His most frequent pseudonym was Anson McDonald his middle name with his then wife Leslyn’s maiden name. He also used Lyle Monroe, John Riverside, Caleb Saunders, and Simon York.
Science fiction author Larry Niven wrote a short story in which Heinlein never leaves the Navy and achieves the rank of Admiral.
His novel Stranger in a Strange Land is mentioned in the Billy Joel song ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’. The title is based on something Moses says in the Book of Exodus.
He attended school with Sally Rand, a famous actress and dancer.
A biography of Heinlein appears in The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Volume Two, 1986-1990, pages 404-406, published by Charles Scribner’s Sons in 1999.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 32

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Robert A. Heinlein.

When was Robert A. Heinlein born?

Robert A. Heinlein was born on July 7, 1907. His birthplace was Butler, Missouri, USA.
Where was Robert A. Heinlein born?

He was born in Butler, Missouri, USA. This is a small town in the midwestern United States.
When did Robert A. Heinlein die?

He died on May 8, 1988. He was 80 years old at the time of his death.
How old was Robert A. Heinlein when he died?

He died at the age of 80. He was born in 1907 and passed away in 1988.
Where did Robert A. Heinlein die?

He died in Carmel, California, USA. This coastal town was his home at the time.
How did Robert A. Heinlein die?

He died from emphysema and congestive heart failure. These conditions developed in his later years.
What was Robert A. Heinlein's real name?

His full birth name was Robert Anson Heinlein. He was known professionally as Robert A. Heinlein.
What did Robert A. Heinlein do for a living?

He was a writer, specifically a science fiction author. He wrote novels, short stories, and articles.
What nationality was Robert A. Heinlein?

He was American, a citizen of the United States. He was born and lived in the U.S. his entire life.
What language did Robert A. Heinlein speak?

His native language was English. He wrote all his works in English.
Who was Robert A. Heinlein married to?

He was married twice. First to Leslyn MacDonald from March 28, 1932 to August 14, 1947. Then to Virginia Doris Gerstenfeld from October 21, 1948 until his death in 1988.
Where did Robert A. Heinlein go to school?

He attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated 20th out of 243 cadets.
What awards did Robert A. Heinlein win?

He won multiple Hugo Awards for Best Novel, including for Starship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land. He also received the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award in 1975 and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
How many major awards did Robert A. Heinlein win?

He received over 20 major awards, including four Hugo Awards for Best Novel and multiple Prometheus Hall of Fame awards.
Why is Robert A. Heinlein called The Grand Master?

He was awarded the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award in 1975 by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. This title is given to recognize lifetime achievement in science fiction.
What pseudonyms did Robert A. Heinlein use?

He used many pseudonyms including Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, John Riverside, Caleb Saunders, and Simon York. He used these to have multiple stories in the same magazine issue.
What is Robert A. Heinlein best known for?

He is best known for his science fiction novels such as Stranger in a Strange Land 1961, Starship Troopers 1959, and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress 1966. These books won Hugo Awards and are considered classics.
How many Hugo Awards did Robert A. Heinlein win?

He won four Hugo Awards for Best Novel, more than any other author at the time. His winning novels include Starship Troopers 1960, Stranger in a Strange Land 1962, and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress 1967.
What was Robert A. Heinlein's first published story?

His first published story was Lifeline, which appeared in Astounding Stories in August 1939. He sold it for $70 after initially writing it for a contest.
What was Robert A. Heinlein's last novel?

His last novel was To Sail Beyond the Sunset, published in 1987. It was written when his health was declining.
Where did Robert A. Heinlein work during World War II?

During WWII, he worked as a research engineer for the Navy in Philadelphia. Despite this, he continued to write and published 25 novels and short stories during that period.
What health problems did Robert A. Heinlein have?

He contracted tuberculosis in 1934, which forced his retirement from the Navy. In the late 1960s his health declined again, but improved after a major operation in 1982.
What was the lost manuscript of Robert A. Heinlein?

After his death, a lost manuscript titled For Us, the Living written around 1938 was discovered and published in 2003. It was actually his first book, written before Lifeline.
Did Robert A. Heinlein attend school with a famous person?

Yes, he attended school with Sally Rand, a famous actress and dancer. This was during his time in Kansas City.
What other writers were influenced by Robert A. Heinlein?

Science fiction author Larry Niven wrote a short story in which Heinlein never leaves the Navy and becomes an admiral. This shows Heinlein’s influence on other writers.
What song mentions Stranger in a Strange Land?

The Billy Joel song ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ mentions Stranger in a Strange Land. The song lists historical events and cultural references.
What does the title Stranger in a Strange Land refer to?

The title is based on a phrase from the Book of Exodus in the Bible, where Moses says he has been a stranger in a strange land. Heinlein used it for his novel about a Martian raised human.
How many short stories did Heinlein publish?

He was extremely prolific, sometimes having two or three stories in the same magazine issue using pseudonyms. He wrote dozens of short stories throughout his career.
What was Heinlein's pseudonym Anson McDonald derived from?

It combined his middle name Anson with his first wife Leslyn’s maiden name McDonald. He used this pseudonym frequently.
Did Robert A. Heinlein serve in the military?

Yes, he served in the U.S. Navy after graduating from the Naval Academy. He spent five years in the Pacific before retiring due to tuberculosis in 1934.
What was Heinlein's highest rank in the Navy?

The source does not specify his exact rank, but he served for five years until medical discharge. He likely attained the rank of lieutenant or similar.
What is the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award?

It is a lifetime achievement award given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Heinlein was the first recipient in 1975.

View all 32 questions View fewer questions

Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on September 28, 2026

Report an issue

If something on this page looks off, we genuinely want to know about it. Send us a quick email with the celebrity's name, the detail that seems incorrect, and any sources you're referencing. We review every report and update the page as soon as we can.

Report an issue