Conversation so far:
Where did Patrick O'Brian spend Patrick O'Brian's childhood?
Lewes, East Sussex.
What is the name of his wife?
wife Mary Wicksteed Tolstoy.
Aside from writing what other job he does?
my wife and I had driven ambulances and served in intelligence together.
Did he serve in military?
he underwent a brief period of pilot training with the Royal Air Force, but this was not successful.
When did he first publish his novel?
CANNOTANSWER.

Question: Where was Patrick O'Brian born?
Self-contained rewrite: Where was writer Patrick O'Brian born?