In Memoriam: Jack Salamanca

Jack Salamanca, Professor Emeritus and novelist, passed away at age 90 on October 30th. 

Professor Jack Salamanca was born in St. Petersburg Florida in 1922. In his youth, Salamanca lived in Columbia, central Florida, New York City, and Virginia. He began classes at George Washington University in 1939, beginning a career in theatre. From 1942 to 1945, Salamanca served as radio operator in Noumea, New Caldedonia in the South Pacific for the United States Army. In 1950, Salamanca and his wife, Mimi Norton, moved to Europe where he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. While in Europe, he also received a Diploma in Drama from the University of London. At this time, he wrote his first novel, The Lost Country, which would later inspire the movie starring Elvis Presley and Hope Lange, Wild in the Country. The success of his novels encouraged him to persue his writing career. 

Before settling at the University of Maryland, Salamanca taught at Wayne State University in Detriot, as well as at the University of Connecticut. At the University of Maryland, Professor Salamanca served as a professor of English and creative writing for more than 30 years. Salamanca is the author of six novels, including the best-selling 1961 novel, Lilith.

More information on Professor Salamanca is available here.