Robert James Waller

Robert James Waller (1939-2017) was an American author, professor, photographer, and musician best known for his phenomenally popular romance novel The Bridges of Madison County (1992).

Waller was born on August 1, 1939, in Charles City, Iowa, and grew up in Rockford, Iowa. He attended the University of Northern Iowa, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962 and a Master's degree in 1964. He later studied for his PhD in business at Indiana University Bloomington in 1968.

Waller had a distinguished academic career spanning over two decades. He taught economics and decision theory at the University of Northern Iowa for 22 years and served six years as business school dean. He became a teacher of management and economics at the University of Northern Iowa and then in 1977 was promoted to dean of the business school.

Waller's breakthrough came with The Bridges of Madison County, which became a cultural phenomenon and bestseller. The novel was the basis for the blockbuster 1995 movie of the same title. His other notable works include Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend and A Thousand Country Roads. Waller married Georgia Weidemeier in 1961 and they had one daughter, Rachael. Beyond writing, he was accomplished in other artistic fields. He released one CD, The Ballads Madison County: A Collection of Songs (1993) as a companion to his most famous novel. He was also an active photographer.

Waller died on March 10, 2017, in Fredericksburg, Texas, leaving behind a literary legacy that touched millions of readers worldwide through his romantic storytelling.