John Edward Jennings
Jennings in April 1941
Born(1906-12-30)December 30, 1906
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 4, 1973(1973-12-04) (aged 66)
Miller Place, New York, U.S.
Alma materColorado School of Mines, Columbia University
OccupationWriter
Known forHistorical novels

John Edward Jennings Jr. (December 30, 1906 – December 4, 1973)[1] was an American historical novelist. He wrote many best-selling novels of American history and seagoing adventure. He also wrote several nonfiction books on history.

Biography

Jennings was born in Brooklyn, New York, attended the Colorado School of Mines, and studied engineering and literature at Columbia University.[2] He had his first experience of seafaring at age 19 as a hand aboard a tramp steamer in the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean. As of October 1940, aged 33, he was living in Wayland, Massachusetts, and was self-employed.[3] In World War II, he served as a lieutenant in the US Navy and was head of the Naval Aviation History Unit.[2]

Jennings first wrote short stories and travel narratives. His first novel, Next to Valour, set during the French and Indian War, was published in 1939.[4] It became a best-seller, translated into seven languages. His most popular novel was The Salem Frigate, a romantic adventure set on the US frigate Essex. Other seafaring adventures included The Sea Eagles, about the early days of the US Navy, and Chronicle of the Calypso, Clipper about a clipper race. Banners Against the Wind (1954) was a biographical novel about the pioneering doctor Samuel Gridley Howe.

Jennings died in December 1973 at his home in Miller Place, New York.[2] He was survived by his wife and a son.[2]

Selected bibliography

Sources

  • The Encyclopedia of American Literature of the Sea and Great Lakes (2000), Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 213
  • Twentieth Century Authors: A Biographical Dictionary of Modern Literature (1942), by Stanley Kunitz and Howard Haycraft, H.W. Wilson Company

References

  1. ↑ "John Jennings (1906) in Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File". United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via fold3.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "John Jennings, Wrote Books About Salem". The Daily Item. Lynn, Massachusetts. December 6, 1973. p. 10. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Draft Registration Card". Selective Service System. October 1940. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via fold3.com.
  4. ↑ "Books of This Week: John Jennings' First Novel Proves Robust French-Indian War Tale". The Boston Globe. June 16, 1939. p. 15. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.