Richard Bryan Pelzer (June 16, 1965 – September 13, 2019) was an American public speaker, memoirist and author. He was the author of A Brother's Journey and its follow up, A Teenager's Journey.

Richard B. Pelzer
Born
Richard Bryan Pelzer

(1965-06-16)June 16, 1965
DiedSeptember 13, 2019(2019-09-13) (aged 54)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materSouthern New Hampshire University
Occupation(s)Memoirist, novelist, public speaker
Children4
FamilyDave Pelzer (brother)

Biography edit

Pelzer was the fourth of five sons of Stephen Pelzer and Catherine Roerva. He received his bachelor's degree in child and adolescent development from Southern New Hampshire University in 2015.[citation needed]

He was divorced with four children.

Pelzer published his memoir, A Brother's Journey, an account of the story of his young adult life. Pelzer was also the author of A Teenager's Journey, which recounts his teenage years. His brother, Dave Pelzer, was severely abused by their mother when he was a child.

Controversy edit

Pelzer and his brother Dave Pelzer, who wrote A Child Called "It" about his own abuse by their mother, have raised questions about each's depictions of their childhoods. Articles in The New York Times Magazine[1] and Slate[2] have expressed skepticism of claims made by Dave Pelzer.

Death edit

Richard Pelzer died by suicide on September 13, 2019, after a difficult battle with his mental health.

Bibliography edit

Pelzer wrote two memoirs about the abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of his mother.

  • A Brother's Journey: Surviving a Childhood of Abuse[3]
  • A Teenager's Journey: Overcoming a Childhood of Abuse[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Jordan, Pat (2002-07-28). "Dysfunction For Dollars". The New York Times Magazine. p. S6-22. Archived from the original on 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  2. ^ Plotz, David (2000-09-29). "Dave Pelzer - The child-abuse entrepreneur". Slate. Archived from the original on 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  3. ^ A Brother's Journey: Surviving a Childhood of Abuse. New York: Warner Books. 2005. ISBN 0-446-53368-8. Retrieved 2019-09-07 – via Internet Archive text collection.
  4. ^ A Teenager's Journey: Overcoming a Childhood of Abuse. London: Sphere Books. 2006. ISBN 978-0-7515-3769-7. Retrieved 2023-10-04 – via Internet Archive text collection.

Resources edit

  • Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2006. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale. 2006.