Ken Follett is a British author renowned for his work in the thriller and historical novel genres. Born on June 5, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales, Follett has achieved remarkable success, with over 195 million copies of his books sold worldwide.

Follett began his career as a reporter, working for the South Wales Echo and later the London Evening News. He also worked for Everest Books in London, where he eventually became Deputy Managing Director.

His breakthrough novel, Eye of the Needle (1978), a World War II thriller, earned him the Edgar Award for Best Novel. In 1989, he published The Pillars of the Earth, an epic novel about the construction of a medieval cathedral, which became a global bestseller and was later adapted into a television series.

Follett has continued to publish best-selling novels across both thriller and historical genres, including the Kingsbridge series and the Century Trilogy. His latest book, The Armour of Light, was released in 2023, continuing the popular Kingsbridge narrative.

Ken Follett lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with his wife Barbara, a former Labour Member of Parliament. He is an enthusiastic bass guitar player and has been involved in numerous literacy and local charities. Follett served as the president of Dyslexia Action and was a chair of the National Year of Reading initiative.