Jennings Michael Burch

Jennings Michael Burch
Born	(1941-04-07)April 7, 1941 Manhattan, New York
Died	Carmel, New York
Occupation	Writer
Alma mater	John Jay College
Notable works	They Cage the Animals At Night

Jennings Michael Burch (April 27, 1941 – January 15, 2013) was an American writer and author of the 1984 best-selling autobiography They Cage the Animals At Night.

Early life and education

Jennings Michael Burch was born in the South Bronx, New York and spent most of his childhood in foster homes. A single parent, Burch's mother placed her children in foster care in 1949, when Jennings was eight, but claimed that she would return. Between 1949 and 1954, Burch had stayed in 32 foster homes, moved with his family three times, and stayed with at least three sets of foster parents. He also lost his biological brother Jerome, whom he hardly knew.

He earned a B.A. in forensic psychology from John Jay College in Manhattan, New York City, New York.

Career

He worked as a chauffeur, a short order cook, a magazine pressman and New York police officer.

Personal life

Burch was married three times. He had two biological daughters (first marriage), one adopted daughter, (second marriage) and a son (third marriage).