Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan, whose real name was James Oliver Rigney Jr., was a highly acclaimed American novelist best known for his fantasy series 'The Wheel of Time'. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 17, 1948, Jordan was an exceptional student who learned to read at the age of five. His passion for reading and writing led him to use several pseudonyms, including Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly, during his career. However, it was under the name Robert Jordan that he gained the most recognition and success.

Jordan's military background played a significant role in shaping his writing. After attending The Citadel, he served as a helicopter gunner in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970, earning several awards for his service. These experiences influenced his writing style and the themes he explored in his work. After returning from Vietnam, Jordan worked as a nuclear engineer for the United States Navy before turning to writing full-time in 1977.

In addition to his love of writing, Jordan had a wide range of hobbies and interests. He was a history buff who enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting. He also described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian and was a Freemason. Jordan's wife, Harriet McDougal, worked as a book editor and was also his editor during his writing career.

Tragically, Jordan was diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis in 2006 and passed away on September 16, 2007. Despite his diagnosis, Jordan remained optimistic and continued to write, determined to beat the statistics and live a long and creative life. He was cremated, and his ashes were buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston. Jordan's legacy lives on through his writing, which continues to inspire and captivate readers around the world.
The Wheel of Time Books
# Title Year
1 The Eye of the World 1990
2 The Great Hunt 1990
3 The Dragon Reborn 1991
4 The Shadow Rising 1992
5 The Fires of Heaven 1993
6 Lord of Chaos 1994
7 A Crown of Swords 1996
8 The Path of Daggers 1998
9 Winter's Heart 2000
10 Crossroads of Twilight 2003
11 New Spring 2004
12 Knife of Dreams 2005
13 The Gathering Storm 2009
14 Towers of Midnight 2010
15 A Memory of Light 2012
16 The Wheel of Time (Complete Series) 2014
The Wheel of Time - Graphic Novels (by with Chuck Dixon)
# Title Year
1 New Spring 2011
2 The Eye of the World, Volume 1 2011
3 The Eye of the World, Volume 2 2012
4 The Eye of the World, Volume 3 2013
5 The Eye of the World, Volume 4 2013
6 The Eye of the World, Volume 5 2014
7 The Eye of the World, Volume 6 2015
Wheel of Time Companion Books
# Title Year
1 The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time 1997
2 The Wheel of Time Companion 2015
Fallon Books
# Title Year
1 The Fallon Blood 1980
2 The Fallon Pride 1981
3 The Fallon Legacy 1982
Robert Jordan's Conan Novels
# Title Year
1 Conan the Invincible 1982
2 Conan The Defender 1982
3 Conan the Triumphant 1983
4 Conan the Unconquered 1983
5 Conan the Victorious 1984
6 Conan the Magnificent 1984
7 Conan the Destroyer 1984
8 The Conan Chronicles 1995
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Cheyenne Raiders 1982
2 Warrior of the Altaii 2019
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Alvah 2020
Legends Books
# Title Year
1 Legends 1998
2 Legends II: Dragon, Sword, and King 1998
3 Legends 3 1999
Robert Jordan Anthologies
# Title Year
1 Legends II: Dragon, Sword, and King 1998
2 Unfettered 2013
3 Unfettered III: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy 2019