Robert Jordan Trivia Quiz

Answer: James Oliver Rigney, Jr.

James Oliver Rigney, Jr. (or Jim Rigney) was the true name of Robert Jordan. He is most famous for "The Wheel of Time" epic fantasy series of novels. The lengthy story surrounds the journey of a group of young people from a remote rural community to positions of prominence in the world in the fight against the Dark One - as a result of prophecy. It's kind of hard to summarize such a big story in one sentence.

All of the other names given are the true names of authors who you likely will better recognize by their pseudonyms:

Eric Arthur Blair: George Orwell
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson: Lewis Carroll
James Alfred Wight: James Herriot

Answer: South Carolina

Jordan was born (as James Oliver Rigney, Jr.) on October 17th, 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina, a city with a rich history. It is the home of Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the US Civil War were fired. It is a small wonder that Jordan became such a history buff, being raised there.

Jordan was at the Medical University of South Carolina when he passed away in 2007 on September 16th, at the age of 58.

Answer: Army

Jordan was awarded four medals during the conflict:

The Distinguished Flying Cross (with oak leaf cluster), awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. The oak leaf cluster refers to an additional award.

The Bronze Star (with 'V'), awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service. The 'V' device for the Army denotes participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.

Two Vietnam Gallantry Crosses (with Palm), awarded by the government of South Vietnam for accomplishing deeds of valor or displaying heroic conduct while fighting the enemy.

Answer: The Citadel

The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, was founded in Jordan's hometown of Charleston in 1842, and is one of six senior military colleges in the United States.

After completing his degree, Jordan found work with the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer.

Answer: The Fallon Blood

"The Fallon Blood" (1980) was the first in what became a trilogy of books. Michael Fallon, an Irishman escaping English brutality, comes to Charleston, South Carolina as an indentured servant. He becomes romantically involved with Elizabeth, the daughter of the merchant to whom he is indentured.

"The Fallon Pride" (1981) and "The Fallon Legacy" (1982) carried on the story of the Fallon family through the next two generations.

Answer: Richard Bachman

Richard Bachman, of course, is the pen name of horror author Stephen King.

As Reagan O'Neal, Jordan wrote the "Michael Fallon" trilogy of books.

As Jackson O'Reilly, Jordan wrote a 1982 western entitled "Cheyenne Raiders".

Chang Lung was the pseudonym that Jordan used to write theater and dance critiques.

And as Robert Jordan, in addition to "The Wheel of Time" novels, he also wrote seven "Conan the Barbarian" novels in the early 1980s.

Answer: Harriet McDougal

Harriet McDougal, like her husband, was born in Charleston, South Carolina (in 1939, making her Jordan's senior by 9 years). Her maiden name was Popham, and she was married to her first husband (Ed McDougal) from 1964 until 1970, while living and working in New York City.

Robert Jordan met Harriet after she returned to Charleston in 1977. They married in 1981, and together they lived in Harriet's family home, an estate established in 1797.

After publishing his first novel ("The Fallon Blood") through Harriet, Jordan subsequently sent his works directly to Tom Doherty of Tor/Forge for publication. Harriet, however, continued to work as Jordan's editor.

Answer: True

Robert Jordan was, indeed, a Freemason, although he did not advertise that fact to the world. He did respond to a direct question from a fan about the subject, saying that both his father and grandfather had also been Freemasons. He stated that his decision not to advertise this was that "no man in this country should feel in danger because of his beliefs."

Answer: Cardiac amyloidosis

You can look it up for more information, but cardiac amyloidosis is a moderately rare disease of accumulation of inappropriately folded proteins in or affecting the heart.

After undergoing chemotherapy treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, which included a study using the drug Revlimid, Jordan finally succumbed to his illness on September 16th, 2007.

His funeral was held on the 19th; Robert Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried at the St. James Church near Charleston.

Answer: Knife of Dreams

"Knife of Dreams" was published in October of 2005. In the novel, unusual things begin happening in the world to indicate that Tarmon Gai'don (the Last Battle) is approaching.

Since that time, and through his illness, Jordan worked on what was meant to be the final (12th) novel of "The Wheel of Time", entitled "A Memory of Light". Knowing that he might not survive his illness, nor even last the median life expectancy of four years, Jordan worked to dictate the rest of the story for a successor to potentially complete his work.

Brandon Sanderson was chosen by Jordan's widow after she read a eulogy written by him about her husband (and after she followed that up by reading his novel "Mistborn: The Final Empire"). Sanderson accepted the gargantuan task, and the end of the story was eventually told over three additional novels:

"The Gathering Storm" (2009), "Towers of Midnight" (2010), and "A Memory of Light" (2013).