James Brian Jacques, known as Brian Jacques (pronounced as "Jakes"), was born on June 15, 1939, in Liverpool, England. With his ancestral roots in Ireland, specifically County Cork, Jacques grew up near the Liverpool docks. He attended St. John's School, an inner-city institution notable for its rooftop playground. An early indication of his writing talent emerged at the age of ten when he wrote a short story about a bird who cleaned a crocodile's teeth for a school assignment. His teacher, unable to believe a ten-year-old could write so well, accused Jacques of copying the story. When Jacques refused to admit to plagiarism, he was caned.

Brian Jacques is best known for his Redwall series of novels and the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series. He also authored two collections of short stories, The Ribbajack & Other Curious Yarns and Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales. His works have left a lasting impact on the fantasy genre and continue to be celebrated for their imaginative storytelling and memorable characters.