Gardner McKay was born in Manhattan, NYC. His early years were spent in France, New York, Connecticut and Kentucky. As a child, Gardner learned to sail. He loved the ocean; sailing was in his blood. His great-great-grandfather was Donald McKay, the builder of clipper ships. At age fifteen, Gardner published his first story. His plays have been performed in every state and internationally. His novel Toyer won critical acclaim upon its release in 1998 and is currently in pre-production for a major motion film. He had been a professional skipper, sculptor, photographer, college teacher, and actor, as well as a drama critic for the Los Angeles Herald Tribune. In addition to all that, he had raised African lions. In 1980, Gardner met and married Madeleine, his one and only wife; in 2001, he succumbed to cancer at their home in Honolulu, Hawaii. During his final year, Gardner wrote his memoir, Journey Without A Map, which was published posthumously in 2010. The Kinsman was written shortly before his death.