Irving Wallace (July 23 1916 – February 12 1990) was an American author and journalist known for his best‑selling popular novels, many of which explored controversial social and political themes. His work spanned both fiction and nonfiction, and several of his novels were adapted into feature films.
Early life and education
Irving Wallace was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in 1937 and subsequently worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers including the St. Louis Post‑Dispatch and the Baltimore Sun.
Career
After serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, Wallace began writing full‑time. He initially achieved success with nonfiction titles such as The Fabulous History of the United Nations (1950) and The Best of the Best (1952). Transitioning to fiction in the 1960s, Wallace produced a series of commercially successful novels that often examined contemporary social issues.
Key fictional works include:
- The Chapman Report (1970), a novel about a psychological study of female sexuality; adapted into a film directed by George Cukor (1972).
- The Seventh Secret (1972), a thriller involving the disappearance of a U.S. President’s son.
- The Prize (1962), a drama centered on the Nobel Prize ceremony; adapted into a film starring Paul Newman (1969).
- The Man (1964), exploring a fictional American president’s struggle with a terminal illness; later made into a television miniseries.
- The Devil’s Daughter (1971) and The Second Lady (1972), both dealing with political intrigue.
Wallace’s novels were characterized by extensive research, rapid pacing, and an emphasis on topical subjects such as political scandal, scientific advancement, and sexual mores.
Personal life
Wallace married author Leonore (née Pemberton) in 1939. The couple collaborated on several projects, and their daughter, writer and screenwriter Carla Wallace, later pursued a career in the entertainment industry.
Death and legacy
Irving Wallace died of a heart attack on February 12 1990 in New York City. His novels, many of which were best‑sellers, contributed to the development of the modern “page‑turner” genre. While literary critics often regarded his work as commercial rather than literary, Wallace’s ability to attract wide readership and his influence on the adaptation of popular novels to film are widely recognized. His novels continue to be referenced in discussions of mid‑20th‑century American popular fiction.