John Jakes
John William Jakes entered the world on the 31st of March 1932, in Chicago, Illinois. His early years unfolded within a city that would later shape his storytelling voice. He attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he studied creative writing and joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Graduation came in 1953 after four years of study. Before finishing college, he had already sold stories to pulp magazines during the early 1950s. This early success hinted at a career that would span decades.
His academic path continued with an MA in American literature from Ohio State University. Life off campus included appearances on game shows like Beat the Clock. On the 23rd of August 1952, John and Rachel appeared together on the show. They did not win the Bonus Round, but Rachel took home a Sylvania Jefferson 20-inch television set. The couple married shortly after, beginning a union that lasted over seven decades. By 1961, they moved to Dayton, Ohio, where John worked as a copywriter for several advertising agencies.
Thrilling Wonder Stories edited by Sam Merwin published two letters written by Jakes between 1949 and 1950. Howard Browne edited Amazing Stories and Fantastic Adventures, which printed two of his short stories late in 1950. These titles were The Dreaming Trees and Your Number Is Up!. His first sale was a story measuring just 1,500 words. That transaction marked the start of a prolific writing life.
Between 1951 and 1953, twenty-eight more speculative fiction stories found publication. Dozens of additional stories and novels followed over the next twenty years. He wrote fantasy, science fiction, westerns, and historical tales during this period. In the 1960s, he joined the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America. This group included eight original members selected solely on their fantasy credentials. They aimed to promote respectability for sword and sorcery subgenres like Brak the Barbarian stories.
The Kent Family Chronicles became a bestselling American Bicentennial Series of books in the mid- to late 1970s. Five million copies sold within the first few years alone. Total sales eventually reached 55 million copies across all volumes. The series began with Bastard published in 1974. It was followed by Rebels and Seekers in 1975. Subsequent titles included Furies, Titans, Warriors, Lawless, and Americans through 1979.
Universal Television adapted these works into miniseries under Operation Prime Time. The Bastard aired as the first offering in 1978. Rebels and Seekers followed in 1979. These adaptations brought Jakes's characters to life for millions of viewers. The novels explored American history from colonial times through the Civil War era. Their massive popularity cemented his reputation as a master of historical fiction.
North and South trilogy about the U.S. Civil War sold 10 million copies worldwide. The first book appeared in 1982, followed by Love and War in 1984. Heaven and Hell completed the set in 1987. ABC produced three miniseries based on these books during the 1980s and 1990s. The television versions expanded the story beyond the page, reaching audiences who might never read the original text.
The trilogy examined themes of brotherhood divided by war. Characters faced moral dilemmas that mirrored real historical conflicts. Critics praised the scope and detail of the narrative. Sales figures reflected public interest in the subject matter. The success of North and South proved that historical epics could still captivate modern readers. It also demonstrated Jakes's ability to adapt complex events into compelling drama.
John used the pen name Jay Scotland for several works including I Barbarian published in 1959. Sir Scoundrel appeared under this alias in 1962. Arena followed in 1963 as another example of his versatility. These titles belonged to genres ranging from science fiction to westerns. He wrote dozens of stories across multiple decades without restriction.
Other notable works included Six-Gun Planet and Black in Time, both released in 1970. Dragonard series featured When The Star Kings Die in 1967. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes arrived in 1972, showing his range within established franchises. His output spanned children's books like Susanna of the Alamo in 1986. Nonfiction titles such as Famous Firsts in Sports added depth to his bibliography. This diversity showcased a writer unafraid to explore new territories.
Jakes lived on Bird Key in Sarasota, Florida, with his wife Rachel. They had been married since 1951 and raised four grown children together: Andrea, Dr. Ellen, J. Michael, and Victoria. In September 2013, he received recognition as a Florida Literary Legend at the Florida Heritage Book Festival. The event took place in St. Augustine, honoring contributions to state culture.
His final years were spent writing full-time after moving away from advertising work in 1971. A stage adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol premiered in 1988 at his home theater on Hilton Head Island. It became popular for production by universities and regional theaters including Alabama Shakespeare Festival. John William Jakes died in Sarasota on the 11th of March 2023, at age 90. His legacy remains embedded in American literature through millions of sold copies.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When and where was John Jakes born?
John William Jakes entered the world on the 31st of March 1932, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, before graduating in 1953.
What are the major book series written by John Jakes?
The Kent Family Chronicles became a bestselling American Bicentennial Series with total sales reaching 55 million copies across all volumes. The North and South trilogy about the U.S. Civil War sold 10 million copies worldwide between 1982 and 1987.
How many children did John Jakes have and what were their names?
John Jakes and his wife Rachel raised four grown children together named Andrea, Dr. Ellen, J. Michael, and Victoria. They had been married since 1951 until his death in 2023.
Did John Jakes use pen names for any of his books?
John used the pen name Jay Scotland for several works including I Barbarian published in 1959 and Sir Scoundrel which appeared under this alias in 1962. These titles belonged to genres ranging from science fiction to westerns.
When did John Jakes die and how old was he at the time of his passing?
John William Jakes died in Sarasota on the 11th of March 2023, at age 90. His legacy remains embedded in American literature through millions of sold copies.
All sources
9 references cited across the entry
- 1newsMeet John Jakes: Instant Historian and MillionaireL. H. Whittemore — June 19, 1977
- 2newsAuthor Jakes on top after long struggleMay 26, 1977
- 3webBEAT THE CLOCK with Bud Collyer (Aug 23, 1952)August 8, 2015
- 5journal'Unrelenting Suspense': An Interview With John Jakes, Chronicler Of The American EpicKatie L. Theriot — 2000-03-01
- 8newsJohn Jakes, Whose Historical Novels Hit the Jackpot, Dies at 90Robert D. McFadden — 14 March 2023
- 9web'North and South' Author John Jakes Dies at 90Michael Schaub — 2023-03-15