Whitaker, Rod 1931–2005

(J.L. Moran, Nicholas Seare, Trevanian, Rodney William Whitaker, Benat le Cagat)

OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for CA sketch: Born June 12, 1931, in Granville, NY; died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, December 14, 2005, in England. Educator and author. Rodney William Whitaker was a best-selling mystery writer best known by his pen name Trevanian. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he studied drama at the University of Washington, completing a B.A. and M.A. Next, he earned a Ph.D. in communications from Northwestern University. He pursued an academic career for a time, teaching and serving as drama department chair at the University of Texas at Austin during the late 1960s. His first novel, The Eiger Sanction (1972), became a bestselling spy thriller that was also adapted as a film starring Clint Eastwood. Under the Trevanian name, he would go on to pen other novels, such as The Main (1976), The Summer of Katya (1983), and Hot Night in the City (2000). Whitaker kept his real name secret for many years until his publisher finally revealed it in 1984. He also wrote nonfiction as Whitaker, and penned works on topics ranging from law and theology to aesthetics under other pseudonyms. Since his fiction was so successful, the author was able to buy a home in France, where he retired. His last novel was the semiautobiographical Crazyladies of Pearl Street (2005).

OBITUARIES AND OTHER SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Independent (London, England), December 22, 2005, p. 34.

Los Angeles Times, December 19, 2005, p. B9.

New York Times, December 17, 2005, p. B14.

Washington Post, December 21, 2005, p. B5.