Ninety million copies of The Wheel of Time series were sold, establishing the epic fantasy work as one of the most widely read collections in publishing history. Robert Jordan, the pen name for James Oliver Rigney Jr., spent decades crafting these expansive narratives after transitioning from a career as a nuclear engineer for the United States Navy.
Early Development and Education
Born in 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina, Jordan developed a precocious interest in literature, reading Mark Twain and Jules Verne by the age of five. He attended Clemson University for one year, where he played football as a lineman before choosing to enlist in the United States Army. Following his military service, he enrolled at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics.
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Jordan served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War between 1968 and 1970 as a helicopter gunner. Deployed to Saigon and Bien Hoa, he operated on Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters. His combat experience earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross with an oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal with a V device and oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. A helicopter crash at age 19 significantly shaped his later perspective on mortality.
Transition to Professional Writing
While working as a nuclear engineer, Jordan suffered a knee injury that led to a lengthy hospital stay. Bored by contemporary novels, he resolved to attempt writing himself. His initial project, a fantasy novel titled Warriors of the Altaii, led him to connect with editor Harriet McDougal. He eventually published the Fallon saga and the western Cheyenne Raiders. His ability to write rapidly under pressure brought him to the attention of Tor Books, leading to a contract for seven Conan the Barbarian novels published between 1982 and 1984.
The Wheel of Time and Final Years
In 1984, Jordan began his magnum opus, The Wheel of Time. Originally envisioned as a trilogy, the series grew in complexity and scale, spanning 12 volumes and a prequel published during his lifetime. After receiving a terminal diagnosis for a heart condition in the mid-2000s, Jordan meticulously organized his notes and plot trajectories to ensure the series could be completed posthumously. He died in his hometown of Charleston in 2007 and was buried at Saint James Goose Creek Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Charleston
- Died: 2007, Charleston
- Education: The Citadel
- Military Honors: Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal
- Pen Name: Robert Jordan
- Notable Series: The Wheel of Time
- Awards: Inkpot Award (2005)
- Final Resting Place: Saint James Goose Creek Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Robert Jordan's profession before he became a full-time writer?
He worked as a nuclear engineer for the U.S. Navy, where he designed tests and overhauled nuclear reactors.
How many books did Robert Jordan complete in The Wheel of Time series?
He completed 12 books in the series during his lifetime, including the prequel novel, New Spring.
Achievements
- Educated at The Citadel
- Worked as military officer, writer and novelist
