Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Jordan developed a passion for storytelling and served two tours in Vietnam before pursuing a writing career in 1977.
Jordan is best known for The Wheel of Time, a sprawling fantasy saga that combines intricate world-building, complex characters, and a richly detailed magic system. The series spans fourteen books and a prequel novel, with the first volume, The Eye of the World, published in 1990. The narrative explores themes of prophecy, destiny, and the struggle between good and evil, set in a meticulously crafted world with its own history, cultures, and languages.
After Jordan's passing in 2007, fellow fantasy author Brandon Sanderson]was chosen to complete the series using Jordan's extensive notes and outlines. The final three books were published between 2009 and 2013, bringing the epic saga to a conclusion.
Jordan was one of several writers who contributed to the Conan the Barbarian series, with his works considered among the best by fans. He wrote seven Conan novels, and compiled a well-known Conan Chronology. In addition to his fantasy writing, Jordan used various pseudonyms for different genres: Reagan O'Neal for historical novels set during the American Revolution, Jackson O'Reilly for a western novel, and Chang Lung for his dance and theater criticism. Jordan's ability to create immersive worlds and compelling characters has earned him a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades.
His work on The Wheel of Time series has sold over 90 million copies worldwide and was adapted into a television series by Amazon Prime Video in 2021.
