Leon Uris

Leon Uris is a best-selling American author known for his epic, action-packed novels. His first book, Battle Cry, was released in 1953 and remains as one of his most popular titles. He is also most notably known for his titles Exodus, The Haj, and Trinity. These tales are typically long, sweeping sagas, with strong political opinions woven throughout. 

Meet Leon Uris 

Leon Uris was born in the United States in 1924 to Jewish American parents. His father Wolf William took the name ‘Uris’ from ‘Yerushalmi’, which means ‘man of Jerusalem’. 

Throughout his younger years, Leon moved around a lot, switching schools and moving cities. He was a poor student, and failed English several times, then never graduated from high school. During his final year, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour, leading Leon to enlist in the Marine Corps. 

After struggling with various illnesses he was sent back to the US, which meant two things. First, he missed the Battle of Saipan, which devastated his battalion and was later featured in his novel Battle Cry. Second, during his recovery he met a woman called Betty Beck, who would become the first of three wives. 

Once released from service, he started writing professionally. At first he worked at a newspaper and wrote in his spare time, and soon became popular as a novelist. His book Exodus was an international best-seller, and was made into a movie in 1960 featuring Paul Newman. 

That wouldn’t be his last book adapted for the big screen – his novel Topaz was quickly picked up and made into a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. 

In 1970, Uris married his third and final wife Jill Peabody when she was just 22 and he was 45. The couple would go on to have two children together, and work together on two books; Ireland: A Terrible Beauty and Jerusalem: A Song of Songs. After their divorce in 1988, Uris would settle in New York City and remain a bachelor for the rest of his life.