Peter Benchley

Peter Benchley (May 8, 1940 – February 11, 2006) was an American author, screenwriter, and ocean activist. He gained fame for his bestselling novel Jaws, which he co-wrote the film adaptation for. Benchley's other works such as The Deep, The Island, Beast, and White Shark were also adapted for film and television. Later in life, Benchley became an advocate for marine conservation and expressed regret for the fear and false beliefs about sharks that his writing may have perpetuated. Contrary to rumors, he did not believe his works contributed to shark depopulation. Benchley was the son of Marjorie and author Nathaniel Benchley, and the grandson of Robert Benchley, founder of the Algonquin Round Table. He attended the Allen-Stevenson School and Phillips Exeter.