Robert b parker net worth

Biography of Robert Parker

Robert Brown Parker was an American writer, author of detective novels, and recipient of numerous prestigious literary awards. He was born on September 17, 1932, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Parker attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine, where he earned a bachelor's degree. After graduating, he served in the army during the Korean War. In 1957, Parker obtained a master's degree in English literature from Boston University and worked in advertising until 1962.

Parker went on to earn a Ph.D. in English literature in 1971 from Northeastern University. His dissertation, titled "The Violent Hero, Wilderness Heritage and Urban Reality," explored fictional heroes in the works of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross Macdonald. It was during his time at Northeastern University that Parker wrote his first novel.

In 1976, Parker became a professor, but by 1979, he had dedicated himself fully to his writing career. By that time, he had already written five novels featuring the private detective Spenser. The Spenser series became his most popular work, known for its encyclopedic knowledge of Boston and its surroundings. The novels also featured diverse characters of different races, religions, and political beliefs, which was praised by both literary critics and popular detective authors.

In the late 1980s, ABC television launched the series "Spenser: For Hire" and several TV movies based on Parker's character. Although Parker served as a consultant during the creation of the series, he was not entirely satisfied with the final product. Nevertheless, his books had a significant impact on the revival of the detective genre, influencing authors such as Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, and Dennis Lehane.

Parker married Joan Hall Parker on August 26, 1957. They met as children and grew up in the same neighborhood in Springfield. They remained together for over half a century and had two sons, David and Daniel T. Parker. Initially, the private detective character was supposed to be named David, but Parker didn't want to offend his second son. As a result, the character's name, Spencer, remained unknown.

In addition to his detective novels, Parker also wrote several Westerns and children's books. At the request of actress Helen Hunt, Parker created the female detective character Sunny Randall. Although a television adaptation of the series was planned for 2000, it never materialized. However, the character Sunny Randall was well-received by publishers, leading Parker to continue the series.

Parker and his wife founded an independent film company called "Pearl Productions," named after their dog, Pearl. Tragically, Parker passed away at the age of 77 on January 18, 2010. He suffered a heart attack while working on a new novel in his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His wife Joan discovered him at his desk.