Iain M. Banks (16 February 1954 – 9 June 2013) was a Scottish author, writing mainstream fiction under the name Iain Banks and science fiction as Iain M. Banks, adding the initial of his adopted middle name, Menzies. After the success of The Wasp Factory (1984), he began to write full time. His first science fiction book, Consider Phlebas, appeared in 1987, marking the start of the Culture series. His books have been adapted for theatre, radio, and television. In 2008, The Times named Banks in their list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".

Banks's father was an officer in the Admiralty, and his mother was once a professional ice skater. He was educated at the University of Stirling where he studied English Literature, Philosophy, and Psychology. He moved to London and lived in the south of England until 1988 when he returned to Scotland, living in Edinburgh and then Fife. Banks met his wife Annie in London before the release of his first book. They married in Hawaii in 1992. However, he announced in early 2007 that, after 25 years together, they had separated. He lived most recently in North Queensferry, a town on the north side of the Firth of Forth near the Forth Bridge.

In April 2013, Banks announced he had inoperable cancer and was unlikely to live beyond a year. He died on 9 June 2013.