William Wharton was born on November 7, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a writer, known for Birdy (1984), A Midnight Clear (1992) and Dad (1989). He was married to Rosemary Henry. He died on October 29, 2008 in Encinitas, California, USA.
Keeping pet canaries was a lifetime hobby that found its way into his book "Birdy", along with his war-time experiences.
He and his family eventually moved to Paris, where he established his painting career. He signed his artwork with his birth name, but published his books under a pseudonym. He continued painting even after becoming a successful writer.
After the war, he earned an art degree at UCLA, where he also took a doctorate in psychology. He taught art in the Los Angeles public schools.
He enlisted in the Army and was severely wounded during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
Not thinking of myself as a writer gives me the freedom to be one. I basically just look into my head and see the image and look for words. (from a 1986 interview with the Times of London, on how painting was still as important to him as writing)