Crichton, << KRY tuhn, >> Michael (1942-2008), was an American author whose novels weave new technological possibilities and current social issues into imaginative, fast-paced plots. Crichton’s stories may seem fantastic, but his skillful use of realistic detail makes them believable.
John Michael Crichton was born in Chicago on Oct. 23, 1942. While attending Harvard Medical School from 1965 to 1969, he wrote a series of mysteries under pen names. After receiving a medical degree, he decided to become a writer. His scientific interests appear in the novels The Andromeda Strain (1969), The Terminal Man (1972), Sphere (1987), Jurassic Park (1990), its sequel The Lost World (1995), and Prey (2002). Crichton also used his novels to explore social issues. Rising Sun (1992) mixes intrigue with Japanese-United States business relationships. Disclosure (1994) deals with sexual harassment. Airframe (1996) describes the investigation of an airplane disaster. State of Fear (2004) deals with global warming. The novel Next (2006) looks at genetic research.
Crichton directed several movies, including Westworld (1973) and Physical Evidence (1989). He also wrote and directed The Great Train Robbery (1978), based on his 1975 novel of the same name. In 1994, Crichton created the popular television medical series “ER.” Crichton died on Nov. 4, 2008.
Three Crichton novels were published after the author’s death. Pirate Latitudes (2009) is a historical adventure set in Jamaica in 1665. Micro, an unfinished thriller, was completed by the American author Richard Preston (2011). Dragon Teeth (2017) is an archaeology thriller set in Wyoming during the 1870’s. Crichton’s estate also authorized the publication of The Andromeda Evolution (2019) by Daniel H. Wilson as a sequel to Crichton’s novel The Andromeda Strain.
