Keith Carlton Robertson embarked on his life's journey on May 9, 1914, in the quaint town of Dows, nestled along the Iowa River in northern Iowa. Son to a merchant whose wanderlust led to frequent relocations, Robertson's upbringing unfolded across farms and small towns in five different states scattered throughout America's heartland. In his youth, a passion for writing flickered, yet he set it aside to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1931.

For two years, Robertson served as a radioman aboard a destroyer, navigating the high seas. He then pursued further education at the U.S. Naval Academy, earning a bachelor of science degree. As the winds of war began to stir in 1941, he transitioned from his civilian role as a refrigeration engineer back to the Navy. Serving as an officer on destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II, he retired into the reserves as a captain when peace was restored in 1945.

In 1946, Robertson embarked on a new chapter, securing a position as a salesman for a children's book publisher and marrying Elizabeth Hexter. Immersed in the world of children's literature, his dormant interest in writing rekindled. With the release of his debut children's book, Ticktock and Jim (1948), Robertson committed himself to a full-time writing career. Nestled in the semi-rural landscapes of New Jersey, he drew inspiration from life with his three young children. Between 1947 and 1958, he penned nineteen captivating mysteries and adventures for young readers. Notably, Outlaws of the Sourland (1953) examines the oftentimes tempestuous relationship between humanity and the natural world. The Mystery of Burnt Hill (1952) introduces Stephen "Swede" Larson and Neil Lambert, the resourceful teenage proprietors of the Carson Street Detective Agency. These beloved characters reappear in the acclaimed Three Stuffed Owls, where a seemingly minor incident—the theft of a bicycle—unravels into an investigation of a major crime. In 1958, Robertson ventured into ceramics manufacturing, adopted the pseudonym Carlton Keith for his first adult mystery novel, and crafted three more books for young audiences, including the cherished Henry Reed, Inc.

Among all his creations, Henry Reed stands as the most timeless and beloved figure in Robertson's literary gallery. The blend of dry humor and everyday mishaps that escalate into local legends has charmed a broad spectrum of young readers and critics alike. Both Henry Reed, Inc. and Henry Reed's Babysitting Service were honored with the William Allen White Children's Book Award. The latter also garnered the Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers' Choice Award in 1969. The fifth and latest installment, Henry Reed's Think Tank, earned a coveted place as a Junior Literary Guild Selection.

In the decades following Henry Reed's debut, Robertson has gifted young audiences with numerous other works, including the beloved Year of the Jeep (1968). The Carson Street detectives continue their thrilling escapades in The Money Machine. Under his pen name, Carlton Keith, Robertson has also crafted adult mystery novels, such as The Crayfish Diner (1966) and A Taste of Sangria (1968), captivating readers worldwide. Having stepped away from the ceramics industry in 1969, he now resides with his wife in Hopewell, New Jersey, where he continues to weave his literary tapestry.