William Neal Harrison (October 29, 1933 – October 22, 2013)[1] was an American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter.
Three films were based on two of his works: The short story "Roller Ball Murder" was turned into a screenplay for the 1975 film Rollerball, with a remake in 2002.[2] The novel Burton and Speke was turned into the 1990 film Mountains of the Moon.
Five of his novels are set in Africa and his three volumes of short stories contain most of his fifty published stories. Many of his stories that appeared in Esquire and the novel Africana were experimental in tone. His fiction is distinguished by the exotic and sometimes hostile settings in which he places his characters.
Early in his career, John Leonard wrote in The New York Times, "He is that rare young novelist who writes equally well about action and ideas."[This quote needs a citation] David Black, a reviewer for The Nation wrote, "Burton and Speke…has a quality that is even rarer than excellence: it is a likable book, one of those uncommon novels you will carry with you in your imagination long after turning the final page."[3]