John Gardner (American writer)

John Champlin Gardner Jr. (July 21, 1933 – September 14, 1982) was an American novelist, essayist, literary critic and university professor. He was known for his novel "Grendel", a retelling of the Beowulf myth from the monster's point of view.
Gardner was killed in a motorcycle accident in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, aged 49.