Biography: John William Jakes (born March 31, 1932) was an American writer, best known for American historical & speculative fiction. His Civil War trilogy, North and South, has sold millions of copies worldwide. He was also the author of The Kent Family Chronicles. He has used the pen name Jay Scotland. In September 2013, Jakes was named a Florida Literary Legend at the Florida Heritage Book Festival and Writers Conference in St. Augustine, Florida.