

DeMille is an Honorary Trustee of the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association and holds three honorary doctorates: Doctor of Humane Letters from Hofstra University, Doctor of Literature from Long Island University, and Doctor of Humane Letters from Dowling College. He is also a member of International Thriller Writers and was chosen as ThrillerMaster of the Year 2015. He is a member of American Mensa, The Authors Guild, past president of the Mystery Writers of America, and Book-of-the-Month Club Judge.


He has three children, Lauren, Alexander, and James, and resides on Long Island.ĭeMille's first major novel was By the Rivers of Babylon, published in 1978, and is still in print as are all his succeeding novels. He saw action in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader with the First Cavalry Division and was decorated with the Air Medal, Bronze Star, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.Īfter his discharge, DeMille returned to Hofstra University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. He graduated from Elmont Memorial High School, where he played football and ran track.ĭeMille spent three years at Hofstra University, then joined the Army where he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the United States Army (1966-69). Nelson Richard DeMille was born in New York City on Augto Huron and Antonia (Panzera) DeMille, then moved with his parents to Long Island.
