James Clavell

Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on October 10, 1924 — died September 7, 1994 (aged 69)

James Clavell, born Charles Edmund Dumaresq Clavell (10 October 1924 – 7 September 1994) was an Australian (later naturalized American) novelist, screenwriter, director and World War II veteran and prisoner of war. Clavell is best known for his epic Asian Saga series of novels and their televised adaptations, along with such films as The Great Escape and To Sir, with Love.