Robert Jordan, author of the popular fantasy Wheel of Time series, passed away on September 16th as a result of a rare blood disease.

According to a BBC News story, Jordan’s personal assistant said: “the disease caused the walls of his heart to thicken.”

For more information on Robert Jordan and his books, take a look at his Wikipedia entry or read his blog {his last post, in which he discusses – among other things – working through his condition, was dated August 22nd.}