James D. Hornfischer was a renowned American literary agent, author, and naval historian. Born on November 18, 1965, his career in writing and publishing was marked by his profound interest in the Pacific War, which began in his early years.

Hornfischer started his professional journey as a book editor at HarperCollins in New York, later becoming the president of Hornfischer Literary Management, a literary agency based in Austin, Texas.

His books, which have been described as commanding works in naval history, earned him accolades including the prestigious 2018 Samuel Eliot Morison Award. This award recognized his ability to combine artful scholarship with patriotic pride, preserving maritime history for future generations.

Hornfischer authored several significant works, such as The Fleet at Flood Tide: America at Total War in the Pacific, 1944–1945, Neptune’s Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, and Ship of Ghosts. His book The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors not only received the Samuel Eliot Morison Award but was also recognized as one of the best books on military history.

He was a frequent contributor to well-known publications like the Wall Street Journal and Smithsonian, and he often lectured at various respected institutions such as the U.S. Naval Academy and the National WWII Museum.

A native of Massachusetts, Hornfischer graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Colgate University and later earned a degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He lived in Austin, Texas with his family until his passing on June 2, 2021.