A Look At 'Game Of Thrones' Author's Chicago History

By Jim Bochnowski in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 10, 2015 8:10PM

With the season five premiere of Game of Thrones right around the corner, DNAInfo Chicago recently pointed out that author George R.R. Martin has an extensive history with the city of Chicago.

After graduating from Northwestern in 1971 with a Masters of Science in Journalism, Martin moved to the Uptown neighborhood, sharing a three bedroom apartment at 932 Margate Terrace with five roommates (proving that the more things change in Chicago, the more they stay the same). There, as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, he worked in an alternative service position with the Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation, providing legal aid to the less fortunate in Cook County. After meeting his first wife, Gale Burnick, in 1974, Martin moved with her to an apartment at 938 W. Argyle, where he wrote his first novel, The Dying of the Light.

Thanks for spending time here in our city, George, but we have just a quick question.

Where do you get your ideas? I mean where could you find modern inspiration to come up with the idea of a mythical kingdom ruled by one extended family? Or the power struggle to fill the throne after the king tragically passes away, leading to a woman taking control? Or for a group of citizens longing for the one true heir to the throne returning to power?

Anyway, Game of Thrones is pretty great, but so unrealistic, right?

Game of Thrones returns to television this Sunday, April 12, on HBO. Check out our sister site Gothamist for their pre-season power rankings before the new season begins.