Colin Henry Wilson was an English existentialist philosopher and novelist. Beyond existentialism, he delved into true crime, mysticism, and the paranormal, authoring over a hundred books. Wilson developed a philosophy he termed "new existentialism" or "phenomenological existentialism," aiming to forge an optimistic take on existentialist thought.

Wilson's journey into writing began in his hometown of Leicester, England. Leaving school at the age of sixteen, he took up various jobs and dedicated himself to reading. His breakout came with the publication of The Outsider in 1956, when he was only 24. This best-selling work explored the concept of the social 'outsider' as seen through the lenses of important literary and cultural figures such as Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, and others, addressing the theme of social alienation.