Ross MacDonald

Date of Birth: December 13, 1915

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: July 11, 1983

Biography

Ross MacDonald, born Kenneth Millar, was a celebrated American-Canadian novelist best known for his detective fiction. Born on December 13, 1915, in Los Gatos, California, he moved to Canada with his family shortly thereafter. MacDonald is often hailed as one of the greatest writers of hard-boiled detective fiction, following in the footsteps of predecessors like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. His most famous creation is private detective Lew Archer, who appears in a series of novels that have been highly influential in the genre. MacDonald’s early life was marked by instability, with his parents separating when he was young. He pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Ph.D. in Literature. His career took off with the publication of “The Moving Target” in 1949, the first book in the Lew Archer series. Over the years, he published numerous critically acclaimed novels including “The Galton Case,” “The Chill,” and “The Underground Man.” In addition to his literary achievements, MacDonald was a vocal advocate for environmental conservation and social justice. He passed away on July 11, 1983, in Santa Barbara, California.

5 Interesting Facts about Ross MacDonald

1. Ross MacDonald was actually born Kenneth Millar; he adopted his pen name to avoid confusion with his wife, Margaret Millar, who was also a successful mystery writer.

2. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

3. His novel “The Moving Target” was adapted into a film starring Paul Newman, titled “Harper.”

4. MacDonald’s work is often characterized by its psychological depth and complex characterizations, setting him apart from many of his contemporaries.

5. He was awarded the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 1974.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ross MacDonald

1. “We writers, as we work our way deeper into our craft, learn to respect the wisdom of instinct and the value of surrendering to the unconscious.”

2. “In a world where success is the measure and justification of all things, the figure of the hero as a failure is indispensable.”

3. “Nothing is wrong with California that a rise in the ocean level wouldn’t cure.”

4. “The detective story is the normal recreation of noble minds.”

5. “The past is the key to the present.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Ross MacDonald achieved a net worth estimated at $5 million.

Children

Ross MacDonald and his wife, Margaret Millar, had one child, Linda Millar. Tragically, Linda passed away at a young age, a loss that deeply affected both parents and influenced MacDonald’s later writings.