John D. MacDonald
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
John D. MacDonald (born July 24, 1916,Sharon, Pa., U.S.—died Dec. 28, 1986,Milwaukee, Wis.) was an Americanfiction writer whose mystery andscience-fiction works were published in more than 70 books. He is best remembered for his series of 21 crime novels featuring private investigatorTravis McGee.
After MacDonald graduated from Syracuse (New York) University (B.S., 1938) and Harvard Graduate School of Business (M.B.A., 1939), he served inWorld War II in theOffice of Strategic Services (OSS), the forerunner of theCentral Intelligence Agency (CIA). He began contributing science-fiction and suspense stories to pulp magazines in the mid-1940s. From 1950 he began publishing full-length novels, beginning withThe Brass Cupcake.
InThe Deep Blue Good-By (1964), MacDonald introduced Travis McGee—a tough,eccentric “salvage consultant” who typically defends a beautiful woman against a large, corrupt organization. Going beyond the usual formula of sex and violence, the author investigated contemporary social andmoral concerns through McGee and hiserudite sidekick, Meyer. Books in the series includeOne Fearful Yellow Eye (1966),A Tan and Sandy Silence (1971), andCinnamon Skin (1982). Among his science-fiction novels areWine of the Dreamers (1951),Ballroom of the Skies (1952), andThe Girl, the Gold Watch, and Everything (1962). Other notable works by MacDonald includeThe Neon Jungle (1953),A Key to the Suite (1962),Condominium (1977), andOne More Sunday (1984).
