Richard Ford (born February 16, 1944) is an American novelist and short story writer. His best-known works include the novels The Sportswriter, its award-winning sequel Independence Day, and the widely-anthologized collection of short stories Rock Springs.

Early life

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Ford was born in Jackson, Mississippi, the only son of a traveling salesman for a starch company. When Ford was eight years old, his father had a major heart attack, and thereafter Ford spent as much time with his grandfather, a former prizefighter and hotel owner in Arkansas, as he did with his parents in Mississippi. Ford’s father died of a second heart attack in 1960.

Ford received a B. A. from Michigan State University, where he also met Kristina Hensley, his future wife; the two married in 1968 and remain married to this day. Despite a mild dyslexia, Ford developed a serious interest in literature. He has stated in interviews that his dyslexia may in fact have helped him as a reader, as it forced him to approach books at a slow and thoughtful level.

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