Catherine.Gilbert Murdock author page

Catherine Gilbert Murdock Biography

Early Life and Education

Catherine Gilbert Murdock, an American author, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1967. Her father, a chemical engineer, and her mother, a nurse, raised her on a small Christmas tree farm in Litchfield, Connecticut. Growing up with her only sibling, novelist Elizabeth Gilbert, the family embraced a life without neighbors and an ancient television, fostering a shared love for reading.

• Born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1967.
• Upbringing on a Christmas tree farm in Litchfield, Connecticut.
• Shared childhood with sibling, novelist Elizabeth Gilbert.

Education

Murdock pursued her higher education at Bryn Mawr College, majoring in Growth and Structure of Cities, and graduated in 1988. In 1998, she achieved a doctorate in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania.

• Studied Growth and Structure of Cities at Bryn Mawr College.
• Graduated in 1988.
• Obtained a doctorate in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998.

Career

Murdock’s literary journey began with the publication of her dissertation, Domesticating Drink: Women, Men and Alcohol in Prohibition America, three years after completing her studies. She entered the world of young adult fiction with Dairy Queen in 2006, followed by sequels, The Off Season (2007) and Front and Center (2009). Her 2013 novel Heaven Is Paved with Oreos expanded on this world. Notable works also include Princess Ben (2008), Wisdom’s Kiss (2011), and the Newbery Honor book The Book of Boy (2018).

• Debut with Domesticating Drink: Women, Men and Alcohol in Prohibition America.
• Introduction to young adult fiction with Dairy Queen (2006).
• Continued series with The Off Season (2007) and Front and Center (2009).
• Notable works include Princess Ben (2008) and Wisdom’s Kiss (2011).
• Published middle-grade novel The Book of Boy in 2018, receiving Newbery Honor.

Personal Life

Catherine Gilbert Murdock resides in Philadelphia with her husband and two children.

• Lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two children.

Bibliography

Her notable works include:

• Dairy Queen Series: Dairy Queen (2006), The Off Season (2007), Front and Center (2009), Heaven is Paved with Oreos (2013) (spinoff)
• Princess Ben (2008)
• Wisdom’s Kiss (2011)
• The Book of Boy (2018)
• Da Vinci’s Cat (2021)
• Nonfiction: Domesticating Drink: Women, Men and Alcohol in Prohibition America (1998)