Before becoming a writer, he worked as a labor organizer in New England and in his father's sugar refinery in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was twice married: first to Iris Zinn Lewin and later to poet, playwright and children's book author Eve Merriam.
Before becoming a writer, he held jobs as a labor organizer in New England and at his father's sugar refinery in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was married twice: first to Iris Zinn Lewin and later to Eve Merriam, a poet, playwright, and children's book author.