Robert James Waller (1939-2017) was an American author and photographer best known for his critically acclaimed novel "The Bridges of Madison County." Waller was born on August 1, 1939, in Charles City, Iowa. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in business education from the University of Northern Iowa and later earned his master's degree and PhD in business education from Indiana University.
Waller's breakthrough novel, "The Bridges of Madison County," was published in 1992 and quickly gained widespread popularity. The novel tells the poignant love story between Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride living on an Iowa farm, and Robert Kincaid, a photographer who visits Madison County to capture its covered bridges. The book became a bestseller, spending over three years on The New York Times Best Seller list and selling millions of copies worldwide. It was later adapted into a successful film starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.
Despite the tremendous success of his debut novel, Waller faced mixed critical reception from literary experts. Nevertheless, he continued to write and published several other novels, including "Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend," "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze," and "A Thousand Country Roads," often exploring themes of love, longing, and the beauty of the Midwest.
Outside of his literary pursuits, Waller was an accomplished photographer. His photographs, which often featured landscapes and women, were exhibited in galleries across the United States.
Robert James Waller passed away on March 10, 2017, leaving behind a literary legacy that resonated with millions of readers worldwide.
