Harold Robbins, born Harold Rubin, was an American author renowned for his popular novels. One of the best-selling writers of all time, he wrote over 25 best-sellers, selling over 750 million copies in 32 languages.

Born in New York City, Robbins claimed to be a Jewish orphan raised in a Catholic boys' home. However, he was actually the son of well-educated Russian and Polish immigrants and was raised by his pharmacist father and stepmother in Brooklyn.

Robbins' first book, Never Love a Stranger (1948), caused controversy due to its graphic sexuality. Publisher Pat Knopf reportedly purchased it because "it was the first time he had ever read a book where on one page you'd have tears and on the next page you'd have a hard-on."

His 1952 novel, A Stone for Danny Fisher, was adapted into the 1958 motion picture King Creole, starring Elvis Presley. Harold Robbins became arguably the world's bestselling author, publishing over 20 books.