Julian Patrick Barnes, born on 19 January 1946, is a distinguished English writer known for his contributions to postmodern literature. He achieved significant acclaim when he won the Man Booker Prize in 2011 for The Sense of an Ending, after being shortlisted three times previously with Flaubert's Parrot, England, England, and Arthur & George. Barnes has also made his mark in crime fiction, writing under the pseudonym Dan Kavanagh.

Barnes's journey through the literary world is marked by a plethora of achievements, including being made a Commandeur of L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2004. His recognition extends to various accolades such as the Somerset Maugham Award and the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. In 2021, he was honored with the Jerusalem Prize, further cementing his legacy.

Prior to his full-time writing career, Barnes contributed to the literary field as a lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary, and as a literary editor and film critic. He pursued his education at the City of London School and Merton College, Oxford. Barnes's personal life is also noteworthy; he shared his life with his wife, literary agent Pat Kavanagh, until her passing.