 He was the official Connecticut State Historian (1984–2004) and is now professor of history emeritus at the University of Connecticut.Collier and his brother, the author James Lincoln Collier, have co-written novels, most of which are based on historic events.Collier's children's books include "My Brother Sam Is Dead" (1974), which deals with the American Revolution, and was awarded a Newbery Honor, and seven historical novels written with James, including "Jump Ship to Freedom" (1981).