William Brinkley
Encyclopedia
William Clark "Bill" Brinkley (September 10, 1917 – November 22, 1993) was an American writer
and journalist
.
Brinkley is perhaps best known for his 1988 novel
, The Last Ship
, and his 1956 novel
, Don't Go Near the Water
, which was later adapted to film in 1957
by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
as Don't Go Near the Water
.
on September 10, 1917, the youngest of five children and the son of a minister. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma
in 1940.
during World War II
, where he served in Europe
and the Pacific, primarily in public relations
duties.
in 1940, Brinkley went on to work for The Daily Oklahoman
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
. Afterwards, Brinkley was a reporter for The Washington Post
from 1941 to 1942 and from 1949 to 1951. He was also a staff writer
, correspondent
and assistant editor
and for Life
magazine from 1951 to 1958. Brinkley was also a member of the National Press Club until his death in 1993.
during World War II
, Brinkley wrote and published his first novel, Quicksand, in 1948.
of a Slovakia
n nun
based her memoirs as recited to him. The novel was later adapted into an eponymous episode of Climax! in 1955. In 1956, he went on to write the best-selling novel and perhaps his most prominent work, Don't Go Near the Water
, a comedy about United States Navy
sailors serving in the South Pacific during World War II
. Don't Go Near the Water would later be adapted into film by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
as Don't Go Near the Water
. Don't Go Near the Water
was released in theaters across the United States in 1957 and became both a critical and commercial success.
. The following year, in 1962, Brinkley wrote and published the novel, The Two Susans, which was followed in 1966 by The Ninety and Nine, a novel detailing life on board a United States Navy
LST during World War II
.
and would live there until his death in 1993. Throughout the 1970s
, Brinkley only wrote one novel, Breakpoint, a novel about tennis
, published in 1978.
, Breakpoint, was followed by Peeper, a comedy novel about a voyeur
in the small Texas
town of Martha, Texas, near the Rio Grande river
. Peeper was written by Brinkley and published in December 1981. In March of 1988, Brinkley wrote and published his last work, The Last Ship
, a post-apocalyptic fiction novel dealing with the sailors of the USS Nathan James (DDG-80), a fictional United States Navy
guided missile destroyer
, which survives a brief, but full-scale global nuclear war
, primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union.
at the age of 76 from an overdose
of barbiturates on November 22, 1993. He died at his home in McAllen, Texas
, near the Gulf of Mexico
. Brinkley was survived by his wife, Jean Brinkley, along with his sister, Virginia McCabe, his brother, Paul Brinkley and his stepson, David Shelander.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and journalist
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
.
Brinkley is perhaps best known for his 1988 novel
1988 in literature
The year 1988 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Margaret Atwood - Cat's Eye*J.G. Ballard - Memories of the Space Age*Iain M...
, The Last Ship
The Last Ship
The Last Ship is a 1988 post-apocalyptic fiction novel written by William Brinkley.-Background:The Last Ship tells the wordy story of a fictional United States Navy guided missile destroyer, the USS Nathan James , on patrol in the Barents Sea during a brief, full-scale nuclear war between the...
, and his 1956 novel
1956 in literature
The year 1956 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* Writing under the pseudonym of Emile Ajar, author Romain Gary becomes the only person ever to win the Prix Goncourt twice.*Iris Murdoch marries John Bayley....
, Don't Go Near the Water
Don't Go Near the Water (novel)
-Background:Dont Go Near the Water is a lighthearted, comedic war novel, dealing with public relations officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
, which was later adapted to film in 1957
1957 in film
The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:...
by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
as Don't Go Near the Water
Don't Go Near the Water (film)
Don't Go Near the Water is a 1957 comedy film about a U.S. Navy public relations unit stationed on an island in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. It is an adaptation of the 1956 novel of the same name by William Brinkley. Glenn Ford and Gia Scala starred...
.
Early life and education
Brinkley was born in Custer City, OklahomaCuster City, Oklahoma
Custer City is a town in Custer County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 375 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Custer City is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
on September 10, 1917, the youngest of five children and the son of a minister. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in 1940.
Naval career
Brinkley was an officer in the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, where he served in Europe
European Theatre of World War II
The European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
and the Pacific, primarily in public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
duties.
Journalism career
After graduating from the University of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in 1940, Brinkley went on to work for The Daily Oklahoman
The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman is the largest daily newspaper in Oklahoma and is the only daily newspaper that covers the entire Oklahoma City area.-Ownership:...
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
. Afterwards, Brinkley was a reporter for The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
from 1941 to 1942 and from 1949 to 1951. He was also a staff writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, correspondent
Correspondent
A correspondent or on-the-scene reporter is a journalist or commentator, or more general speaking, an agent who contributes reports to a newspaper, or radio or television news, or another type of company, from a remote, often distant, location. A foreign correspondent is stationed in a foreign...
and assistant editor
Editor
The term editor may refer to:As a person who does editing:* Editor in chief, having final responsibility for a publication's operations and policies* Copy editing, making formatting changes and other improvements to text...
and for Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine from 1951 to 1958. Brinkley was also a member of the National Press Club until his death in 1993.
1940s
In 1948, after his tenure as an officer in the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Brinkley wrote and published his first novel, Quicksand, in 1948.
1950s
In 1954, Brinkley wrote his only non-fiction book, The Deliverance of Sister Cecelia, a biographyBiography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
of a Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
n nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
based her memoirs as recited to him. The novel was later adapted into an eponymous episode of Climax! in 1955. In 1956, he went on to write the best-selling novel and perhaps his most prominent work, Don't Go Near the Water
Don't Go Near the Water (novel)
-Background:Dont Go Near the Water is a lighthearted, comedic war novel, dealing with public relations officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
, a comedy about United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailors serving in the South Pacific during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Don't Go Near the Water would later be adapted into film by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
as Don't Go Near the Water
Don't Go Near the Water (film)
Don't Go Near the Water is a 1957 comedy film about a U.S. Navy public relations unit stationed on an island in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. It is an adaptation of the 1956 novel of the same name by William Brinkley. Glenn Ford and Gia Scala starred...
. Don't Go Near the Water
Don't Go Near the Water (film)
Don't Go Near the Water is a 1957 comedy film about a U.S. Navy public relations unit stationed on an island in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. It is an adaptation of the 1956 novel of the same name by William Brinkley. Glenn Ford and Gia Scala starred...
was released in theaters across the United States in 1957 and became both a critical and commercial success.
1960s
In 1961, Brinkley wrote and published The Fun House, a comedy novel set in the offices of a picture magazine, similar to that of LifeLife (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
. The following year, in 1962, Brinkley wrote and published the novel, The Two Susans, which was followed in 1966 by The Ninety and Nine, a novel detailing life on board a United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
LST during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
1970s
In 1971, Brinkley moved to McAllen, TexasMcAllen, Texas
McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley and is part of the . Its southern boundary is located about five miles from the U.S.–Mexico border and the Mexican city of Reynosa, the Rio...
and would live there until his death in 1993. Throughout the 1970s
1970s
File:1970s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: US President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office after the Watergate scandal in 1974; Refugees aboard a US naval boat after the Fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975; The 1973 oil...
, Brinkley only wrote one novel, Breakpoint, a novel about tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, published in 1978.
1980s
Brinkley's 1978 novel about tennisTennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, Breakpoint, was followed by Peeper, a comedy novel about a voyeur
Voyeurism
In clinical psychology, voyeurism is the sexual interest in or practice of spying on people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other activity usually considered to be of a private nature....
in the small Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
town of Martha, Texas, near the Rio Grande river
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
. Peeper was written by Brinkley and published in December 1981. In March of 1988, Brinkley wrote and published his last work, The Last Ship
The Last Ship
The Last Ship is a 1988 post-apocalyptic fiction novel written by William Brinkley.-Background:The Last Ship tells the wordy story of a fictional United States Navy guided missile destroyer, the USS Nathan James , on patrol in the Barents Sea during a brief, full-scale nuclear war between the...
, a post-apocalyptic fiction novel dealing with the sailors of the USS Nathan James (DDG-80), a fictional United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
guided missile destroyer
Guided missile destroyer
A guided missile destroyer is a destroyer designed to launch guided missiles. Many are also equipped to carry out anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface operations. In the U.S...
, which survives a brief, but full-scale global nuclear war
Nuclear warfare
Nuclear warfare, or atomic warfare, is a military conflict or political strategy in which nuclear weaponry is detonated on an opponent. Compared to conventional warfare, nuclear warfare can be vastly more destructive in range and extent of damage...
, primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Death and suicide
After suffering from a major depressive disorder for over several years, Brinkley committed suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
at the age of 76 from an overdose
Drug overdose
The term drug overdose describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced...
of barbiturates on November 22, 1993. He died at his home in McAllen, Texas
McAllen, Texas
McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley and is part of the . Its southern boundary is located about five miles from the U.S.–Mexico border and the Mexican city of Reynosa, the Rio...
, near the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. Brinkley was survived by his wife, Jean Brinkley, along with his sister, Virginia McCabe, his brother, Paul Brinkley and his stepson, David Shelander.
Novels
- Quicksand (1948)
- Don't Go Near the WaterDon't Go Near the Water (novel)-Background:Dont Go Near the Water is a lighthearted, comedic war novel, dealing with public relations officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
(1956) - The Fun House (1961)
- The Two Susans (1962)
- The Ninety and Nine (1966)
- Breakpoint (1978)
- Peeper (1981)
- The Last ShipThe Last ShipThe Last Ship is a 1988 post-apocalyptic fiction novel written by William Brinkley.-Background:The Last Ship tells the wordy story of a fictional United States Navy guided missile destroyer, the USS Nathan James , on patrol in the Barents Sea during a brief, full-scale nuclear war between the...
(1988)