Peter Benchley
Full Name and Common Aliases
Peter Benenson Benchley was born as Peter Benenson, but later changed his name to Peter Benchley.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on May 8, 1940, in New York City, USA. Passed away on February 22, 2006, at the age of 65.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American author, screenwriter, environmentalist, and oceanographer by profession.
Early Life and Background
Peter Benchley was born to a wealthy family in Manhattan, New York. His mother, Nancy (née Gildersleeve), was an artist and his father, Charles Lathrop Benenson, was a stockbroker. His parents divorced when he was young, and he spent much of his childhood traveling between England and the United States.
Benchley's love for the ocean began at a young age, inspired by his grandfather, who was a member of the British Navy. He studied marine biology at Yale University before switching to creative writing.
Major Accomplishments
Peter Benchley is best known for co-writing the screenplay for the 1975 film _Jaws_, which became one of the highest-grossing films of all time. His novel _The Deep_ (1976) and _Beast_ (1993) also gained significant popularity.
Benchley was an advocate for ocean conservation, particularly after the success of his book _The Abyss_ (1989). He co-founded the Oceanus Society in 1992 to promote public awareness about marine issues.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Peter Benchley include:
Jaws (1975) - a thriller novel that became a hit film, directed by Steven Spielberg.
The Deep (1976) - a novel about treasure hunters and a giant squid.
Beast (1993) - a novel about a prehistoric creature's encounter with modern humans.
Benchley was also involved in various environmental initiatives. He served on the board of directors for the Ocean Conservancy, which aimed to protect marine ecosystems through advocacy and education.
Impact and Legacy
Peter Benchley's work contributed significantly to the popularity of ocean-related literature and film. His passion for ocean conservation inspired many people worldwide to take action against pollution and overfishing.
Benchley received numerous awards for his contributions to environmentalism, including the Audubon Society's Award for Conservation Writing in 1990. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Miami in 1989.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Peter Benchley is widely quoted and remembered due to:
His influential role in popularizing ocean-themed literature and film.
His tireless advocacy for marine conservation, which raised awareness about pressing environmental issues.
His ability to convey the importance of preserving our oceans through engaging storytelling.
Benchley's legacy continues to inspire new generations of writers, filmmakers, and environmentalists.
Quotes by Peter Benchley
Peter Benchley's insights on:
Intellectually, they knew a great deal. Practically, they chose to know almost nothing.
Hooper ladled chum, which sounded to Brody, every time it hit the water, like diarrhea.
I read very widely, both non-fiction and fiction, so I don’t think there’s a single writer who influences me.
Don’t go into the water if you’re bleeding – at all, from anything, anywhere on your body.
A terrible, painful sadness clutched at Ellen. More than ever before, she felt that her life – the best part of it, at least, the part that was fresh and fun – was behind her. Recognizing the sensation made her feel guilty, for she read it as proof that she was an unsatisfactory mother, an unsatisfied wife. She hated her life, and hated herself for hating it. She thought of a line from a song Billy played on the stereo: “I’d trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday.
Suppose you fell over with this fish. Is there anything you could do? Sure. Pray. It’d be like falling out of an airplane without a parachute and hoping you’ll land in a haystack. The only thing that’d save you would be God, and since He pushed you overboard in the first place, I wouldn’t give a nickel for your chances.
Brody felt a shimmy of fear skitter up his back. He was a very poor swimmer, and the prospect of being on top of – let alone in – water above his head give him what his mother used to call the wimwams: sweaty palms, a persistent need to swallow, and a ache in his stomach – essentially the sensation some people feel about flying. In Brody’s dreams, deep water was populated by slimy, savage things that rose from below and shredded his flesh, by demons that cackled and moaned.
To fantasies’, he said. ‘Tell me about yours.’ His eyes were a bright, liquid blue, and his lips were parted in a half smile.