An early twentieth-century American writer of naturalistic novels depicting upper-class life, he is best known for works such as Java Head, Linda Condon, and Balisand. Several of his literary works, including The Bright Shawl, Cytherea, and Wild Oranges, were adapted into films. He briefly studied art but quickly decided to pursue writing instead. He published The Lay Anthony, his first novel, in 1914.
