Roland I. Gammon (November 17, 1915 – April 8, 1981) was an American writer, publicist, and founder of World Authors, Ltd.
Roland I. Gammon |
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| Born | November 17, 1915
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| Died | April 8, 1981(1981-04-08) (aged 65) |
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| Nationality | American |
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| Occupation(s) | writer
publicist
founder of World Authors, Ltd. |
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| Notable work |
- Truth Is One
- The Story of the World's Great Living Religions in Pictures and Text
- All Believers Are Brothers
- Faith Is a Star
- A God For Modern Man
- Nirvana Now
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| Parents | - Charles C. Gammon (father)
- Helen Fern (mother)
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Early life
Roland Irvine Gammon was born on November 17, 1915, to Charles C. Gammon and Helen Fern (Irvine) Gammon in Caribou, Maine.[1] Charles Gammon worked as a druggist in Caribou,[2] but his ancestors had lived in Canada for multiple generations.[3] Roland Gammon resided in Caribou until he entered Colby College about 1933[4] and after graduation continued his studies at Oxford University.[5][6]
Career in Writing
By the time he joined the military during World War II he listed his occupation as writer.[7] He served with the United States Air Corps,[5] and after the war became a reporter for Time-Life.[5] He married Jean Thompson in 1947 and was divorced in 1960.[6] Jean was described as a "women's representative" for Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and wrote travel brochures under the name "Sally Ann Simpson."[8]
Religious Writings
In 1954 he co-authored with Henry James Forman the book Truth Is One; The Story of the World's Great Living Religions in Pictures and Text.[9]
In the 1960s and 1970s, Gammon devoted increasing amounts of time to writing, resulting in four more books on religion: All Believers Are Brothers,[10] Faith Is a Star,[11] A God For Modern Man.[12] and Nirvana Now,[13] Nirvana Now was seven years in preparation and was his final work.[14]
New York City
In the 1950s, Gammon was part of a publicity team in mid-town Manhattan, whose clients included Joseph P. Kennedy and his son, Senator John F. Kennedy. Gammon was president of Editorial Communications Inc.[5] He was also past president of the Fourth Universalist Church in New York City and dean of its all-faith chapel.[5] Notable contacts in Gammon's life as a writer included Walt Disney[15] and Albert Schweitzer, the latter assisted by Gammon in preparing a statement of his philosophy just weeks before his death in 1965.[16] Near the end of his life he founded World Authors Ltd.[5]
Philosophy of life
Gammon was clearly religious and had worked out his philosophy of life, as quoted in a newspaper article announcing his death.
- Because in my view, there is no separation in death, I feel that death is a part of life and that life continues as the divine adventure. . . In reality, life and death are one [and but] different aspects of harmony and happiness.[17]
Gammon reportedly collapsed and died on April 8, 1981, near his residence in Manhattan.[5] He was 65.[5][17]
