CLIVE CUSSLER

Born in Aurora, Illinois, but growing up in Alhambra, California, Clive Cussler attended Pasadena City College before he enlisted in the USAF during the Korean War. He worked there as an aircraft mechanic on their military transports. When he left the military, he moved into the advertising business and made that his career, eventually becoming creative director for two of the biggest advertising agencies in the world. One source indicated he started writing in the mid-60's when his wife took a night job for the local police department and, after feeding the children in the evening, he was left with no one to talk to so he took up the pen. His most famous character, Dirk Pitt, was named after his son.