A twentieth-century American fiction Writer, he is best known for They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, a novel that is set during the Great Depression and focuses on a dance marathon.
He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War I.
His novel They Shoot Horses, Don't They? was made into a film in 1935.
With his wife, Helen Vinmont McCoy, he had two sons.
His novel Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye was made into a film starring James Cagney.
