Donna Louise Tartt, born on December 23, 1963, is a distinguished American novelist and essayist. Her literary journey is marked by three major novels: The Secret History (1992), The Little Friend (2002), and The Goldfinch (2013). The latter not only garnered critical acclaim but also was adapted into a film in 2019. Tartt's influence and contributions to literature were recognized internationally when she was included in Time magazine's 2014 "100 Most Influential People" list.

In addition to her literary success, Tartt has been honored with several prestigious awards. In 2003, she received the WH Smith Literary Award for her novel, The Little Friend, which was also nominated for the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her novel The Goldfinch further established her prominence in the literary world by winning the Pulitzer Prize and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Fiction. Tartt's novels have been translated into forty languages, showcasing her global reach and the universal appeal of her storytelling.