Clive Cussler

Date of Birth: July 15, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: February 24, 2020

Biography

Clive Eric Cussler was an American adventure novelist and underwater explorer, best known for his Dirk Pitt series. Born in Aurora, Illinois, Cussler grew up in Alhambra, California. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, working as a flight engineer and mechanic. Following his military service, Cussler attended Pasadena City College before embarking on a career in advertising, where he worked as a copywriter and creative director. In the late 1960s, Cussler began writing fiction, and his first novel, “The Mediterranean Caper,” was published in 1973. He achieved widespread fame with his third novel, “Raise the Titanic!” in 1976, which became a best-seller and was later adapted into a film. Cussler’s novels are known for their gripping plots, historical themes, and the charismatic hero Dirk Pitt. Apart from writing, Cussler was deeply involved in underwater exploration. He founded the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and preserving historic shipwrecks. Over his lifetime, NUMA claimed to have discovered more than 60 shipwreck sites. Cussler’s contribution to literature and exploration earned him numerous accolades, and his books have sold millions of copies worldwide, making him one of the most successful adventure authors of his time.

5 Interesting Facts about Clive Cussler

1. Clive Cussler was a member of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society.

2. He authored over 85 books, many of which appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list.

3. Cussler’s novel “Raise the Titanic!” was adapted into a film in 1980, despite mixed reviews.

4. NUMA, the marine exploration organization he founded, is named after the fictional agency in his novels.

5. He co-authored several novels with other writers, including his son, Dirk Cussler.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Clive Cussler

1. “Sometimes the truth is so bizarre and mind-boggling that it rivals the most imaginative fiction.”

2. “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”

3. “Adventure is just bad planning.”

4. “Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature is dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill.”

5. “The thing about adventure is that it allows you to take risks and make mistakes. And, of course, it’s the mistakes that make the adventure truly memorable.”