Fans of espionage and military science novels have lost one of that genres’ most popular authors. Tom Clancy has died at age 66. The cause of death has not yet been released.
Here are some facts about Clancy that you may not know:
- Worked as an insurance salesman after attending Loyola College.
- Tried, but failed, to purchase the Minnesota Vikings.
- Divorced after thirty years following revelations of an affair with a New York Assistant D.A.
- Second wife is the niece of General Colin Powell.
- Although he loved the military, poor eyesight prevented him from enlisting.
- In 1984, President Ronald Reagan boosted sales of Clancy’s first novel, The Hunt for Red October, by praising it at a press conference. “It’s a really good yarn,” Reagan said.
- Founded the gaming company Red Storm Entertainment in 1996 and sold it for a reported $45 million
- Was the co-owns the Baltimore Orioles
Tom Clancy was one of the best-selling authors of the last thirty years. In addition to The Hunt for Red October, his other popular works included Patriot Games (1988), Clear and Present Danger (1989), and The Sum of All Fears (1991).