John Jakes Children: Meet J. Michael Jakes, Ellen Jakes, Victoria Jakes, Andrea Jakes

John Jakes was a celebrated author known for his historical North and South trilogy. John Jakes and his wife had four grown children: Andrea, Dr Ellen, J. Michael, and Victoria.

John Jakes died in Sarasota on March 11, 2023, at the age of 90, his lawyer and literary agent Frank R. Curtis announced.

John Jakes earned a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1953. Following that, he received an M.A. in American literature from Ohio State University.

North and South, his Civil War trilogy, has sold millions of copies worldwide. He wrote The Kent Family Chronicles as well. Among other pen names, Jakes used was Jay Scotland.

John Jakes was a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. He received honorary doctorates from five universities and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame’s Western Heritage Literary Award in 1995.

He also received the White House Conference on Libraries and Information’s Celebrity and Citizen’s Award for his efforts on behalf of America’s public libraries.