David Eddings (1931-2009) graduated from Reed in 1954, the first two years being spent at Everett Junior College. Interested in acting and literature, Eddings wrote plays, short stories, and novels all his life. At the age of 41, he was finally successful at getting his work published when he changed genres from action/adventure to fantasy. Eddings wrote 24 fantasy novels and three other works during his career, many with his wife, Leigh Schall Eddings.