Irvine Welsh, born on 27 September 1958 in Leith, Edinburgh, is a distinguished Scottish novelist, short story writer, playwright, and director. He is best known for his groundbreaking novel Trainspotting, which was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film, a project in which Welsh played a cameo role.

Welsh's journey began in Muirhouse, where he left school at the age of 16. He ventured through various jobs before migrating to London with the punk movement. In the late 1980s, Welsh returned to Scotland, working for the Edinburgh District Council while concurrently graduating from university and dedicating himself to writing. His work, characterized by a strong Scottish dialect, focuses on the darker sides of human nature, drug use, and the lives of anti-heroes, small-time crooks, and hooligans.

Welsh's unique narrative style, often written in Edinburgh Scots dialect, presents a challenging yet profoundly humanizing perspective on his characters, making them relatable despite their flaws. His contributions to literature have left an indelible mark, rendering his prose a significant exploration of Scottish life and culture.