Robert Traver
John Donaldson Voelker, writing as Robert Traver, was a Michigan Supreme Court Justice and former Marquette County Prosecuting Attorney who combined his legal expertise with literary talent.
An avid fly-fisherman and lifelong Upper Peninsula resident, he wrote about both passions throughout his career.
Anatomy of a Murder drew from his experience defending Army Lt. Coleman Peterson in a 1952 murder trial where he successfully argued temporary insanity.
After losing a congressional bid and later his DA reelection, he joined the Michigan Supreme Court in 1956 before retiring to write and fish.
His wit, intelligence, and conversational writing style distinguished his work from typical legal thrillers.
