Betty Friedan, 85. Her "The Feminine Mystique" helped shatter the cozy suburban ideal in postwar America. Feb. 4.

Peter Benchley, 65. Author of "Jaws," novel made into blockbuster movie. Feb. 11.

Dame Muriel Spark, 88. British novelist ("The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.") April 13.

Jane Jacobs, 89. Author who greatly influenced urban planning. April 25.

Stanley Kunitz, 100. Former U.S. poet laureate and Pulitzer winner. May 14.

Mickey Spillane, 88. Macho mystery writer who wowed millions of readers. July 17.

Naguib Mahfouz, 94. First Arab writer to win Nobel in literature. Aug. 30.

Gyorgy Faludy, 95. Poet and translator considered one of Hungary's greatest literary figures. Sept. 1.

William Styron, 81. Pulitzer-winning novelist ("The Confessions of Nat Turner.") Nov. 1.

Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, 98. Her memoir on life with 11 siblings, "Cheaper by the Dozen," inspired several films. Nov. 4.

Ellen Willis, 64. Feminist author; New Yorker's first rock critic. Nov. 9. Lung cancer.