MacLean, Norman: - Norman Maclean was born in Clarinda, Iowa, on December 23, 1902, to Clara Davidson (1873-1952) and the Rev. John Maclean (1862-1941). Raised in a deeply religious household, Maclean's early life was shaped by his father's role as a Presbyterian minister, which instilled in him a strong moral framework and a sense of spirituality that would permeate his later works. Maclean attended Yale University, where he developed a love for literature and writing. After graduating, he pursued a career in academia, becoming a professor at the University of Chicago. It wasn't until later in life that he began focusing on writing fiction. His most famous work, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories (1976), became a significant literary success and was later adapted into a popular film. The story, set in Montana, reflects Maclean's deep connection to nature and the complex relationships within his family. In addition to A River Runs Through It, Maclean's posthumous work Young Men and Fire (1992), which chronicles a tragic wildfire, earned critical acclaim for its exploration of heroism, loss, and human fallibility. Maclean passed away in 1990, but his writing continues to resonate for its profound emotional depth and exploration of human nature.