John Jakes
Born in Chicago in 1932, John William Jakes was a freshman studying acting at Northwestern University when he sold his first short story for twenty-five dollars. Later, Jakes noted, "That check changed the whole direction of my life.”
Jakes transferred to DePauw University and graduated in 1953 from the creative writing program. He then earned a Master’s degree in American literature from Ohio State University. Working for an advertising agency by day, Jakee spent his evenings, however, penning short stories, experimenting with several genres, such as fantasy, western, mystery, and science fiction.
For nearly twenty years, Jakes wrote only at night until 1971 when he decided to begin writing full time. That decision eventually led to the publication of over sixty titles, including those written under his pen name, Jay Scotland. His forays into science fiction include Master of the Dark Gate (1970), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1974), and The Asylum World (1978).
Jakes is, however, best known for his historical fiction. In 1973, he began working on an eight-volume series, The Kent Family Chronicles, which follows the ups and downs of one family over centuries of American history. The first installment, The Bastard, was an instant bestseller; the second, third, and fourth installments, published in 1975, made Jakes the first author to have three books on the New York Times bestseller list in the same year. Between 1982-1987, Jakes also wrote the North and South trilogy, another bestselling series that focuses on the friendship between men from South Carolina and Pennsylvania before, during, and after the Civil War. The books were adapted as an ABC TV miniseries.
Among his most popular stand-alone historical novels are On Secret Service (2000), Charleston (2002), and Savannah or a Gift for Mr. Lincoln (2004).
With honorary doctorates from multiple universities and numerous awards including the Cooper Medal from the University of South Carolina, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame's Western Heritage Literary Award, and a dual Celebrity and Citizen's Award from the White House, Jakes was inducted in the South Carolina Academy of Authors in 1996. Jakes was a longtime resident of Hilton Head. He died on March 11, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida.
Jakes transferred to DePauw University and graduated in 1953 from the creative writing program. He then earned a Master’s degree in American literature from Ohio State University. Working for an advertising agency by day, Jakee spent his evenings, however, penning short stories, experimenting with several genres, such as fantasy, western, mystery, and science fiction.
For nearly twenty years, Jakes wrote only at night until 1971 when he decided to begin writing full time. That decision eventually led to the publication of over sixty titles, including those written under his pen name, Jay Scotland. His forays into science fiction include Master of the Dark Gate (1970), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1974), and The Asylum World (1978).
Jakes is, however, best known for his historical fiction. In 1973, he began working on an eight-volume series, The Kent Family Chronicles, which follows the ups and downs of one family over centuries of American history. The first installment, The Bastard, was an instant bestseller; the second, third, and fourth installments, published in 1975, made Jakes the first author to have three books on the New York Times bestseller list in the same year. Between 1982-1987, Jakes also wrote the North and South trilogy, another bestselling series that focuses on the friendship between men from South Carolina and Pennsylvania before, during, and after the Civil War. The books were adapted as an ABC TV miniseries.
Among his most popular stand-alone historical novels are On Secret Service (2000), Charleston (2002), and Savannah or a Gift for Mr. Lincoln (2004).
With honorary doctorates from multiple universities and numerous awards including the Cooper Medal from the University of South Carolina, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame's Western Heritage Literary Award, and a dual Celebrity and Citizen's Award from the White House, Jakes was inducted in the South Carolina Academy of Authors in 1996. Jakes was a longtime resident of Hilton Head. He died on March 11, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida.