Arch Colson Chipp Whitehead, known professionally as Colson Whitehead, is a prominent American novelist celebrated for his impactful and insightful works of fiction and non-fiction. Born on November 6, 1969, Whitehead has penned nine novels that have garnered widespread acclaim. His literary debut, The Intuitionist, laid the groundwork for a career marked by significant accolades.

In 2016, Whitehead achieved major success with his novel The Underground Railroad, which earned him the National Book Award for Fiction and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction the following year. His exceptional storytelling abilities were further recognized in 2020 when he received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction again for The Nickel Boys. This rare achievement placed him among a select group of writers who have won the Pulitzer twice.

Whitehead's prowess extends beyond fiction; he has also authored two non-fiction books. His receipt of a MacArthur Fellowship in 2002 highlighted his significant contributions to literature. He continues to live and write in New York City, where his narratives often find their setting and inspiration. Harlem Shuffle, the first book in The Harlem Trilogy, is one of his recent works, with its sequel, Crook Manifesto, expected to release in 2023.