James Oliver Rigney Jr., better known by his pen name Robert Jordan, was an American author of epic fantasy. He is best known for The Wheel of Time series, which comprises 14 books and a prequel novel. The Wheel of Time is celebrated for its richly detailed universe, complex characters, and intricate plotlines. Jordan's work on the series continued until his death in 2007, after which Brandon Sanderson completed the remaining books.

Jordan was also known for his contributions to the Conan the Barbarian series, with his novels being among the most beloved by fans for their faithful and vibrant continuation of the original stories. In addition, Jordan published historical fiction under the pseudonym Reagan O'Neal, a western as Jackson O'Reilly, and dance criticism as Chang Lung. He claimed to have ghostwritten an "international thriller," a work still believed by many to have been penned by another author.

Jordan's career was not limited to writing. He served two tours in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After his military service, he attended The Citadel, where he received an undergraduate degree in physics.