John Casey (Worcester, 1939 – Charlottesville, 2023) was an American writer and academic, best known for his novel *Spartina* (1989), for which he won the prestigious National Book Award for Fiction. His writing is characterized by meticulous and realistic prose, with a particular focus on the complex psychology of his characters and their deep connection to their environment, often the maritime setting of the American East Coast. In addition to *Spartina*, his literary output includes significant works such as the novels *An American Romance* (1977) and *The Half-Life of Happiness* (1998), and the short story collection *Testimony and Demeanor* (1979). Alongside his writing career, Casey had a long academic career, teaching creative writing at the University of Virginia, where he mentored numerous emerging authors. His contribution is recognized both for the literary quality of his works and for his impact as a mentor in the academic world.