Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., best known for authoring The Wheel of Time fantasy series.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, he served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter gunner, earning multiple military honors.

Jordan studied physics at The Citadel and worked as a nuclear engineer for the U.S. Navy before beginning his writing career in 1977.

A history enthusiast and Freemason, he described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian.

Jordan was diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis in 2006 and passed away on September 16, 2007.

His ashes were buried in Goose Creek, outside Charleston.