Sir Kingsley William Amis (16 April 1922 – 22 October 1995) was an English novelist, poet, critic, and teacher renowned for his contributions to literature. Best known for his satirical comedies such as Lucky Jim (1954), One Fat Englishman (1963), Ending Up (1974), Jake's Thing (1978), and The Old Devils (1986), Amis carved a niche for himself as one of the finest comic novelists of the twentieth century.

His literary journey began early with a passion for poetry, leading him to become one of the editors of Oxford Poetry 1949. His writings extended beyond novels to include six volumes of poetry, a memoir, short stories, as well as radio and television scripts. Beyond his creative endeavors, Amis's contributions to social and literary criticism further established his legacy in the literary world.

His life was marked by a significant friendship with Philip Larkin, whom he met while studying at the College of Saint John, Oxford. This relationship proved to be one of the most important of his life. After a brief service as a lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Signals during the Second World War, Amis returned to academia to become a university lecturer in English. This background provided the rich tapestry for his works, particularly Lucky Jim, which is set in a British university.

Amis was honored with the title of Sir, and his influence on British literature was recognized when The Times ranked him ninth on a list of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945. He was the father of novelist Martin Amis, further cementing the Amis family's contribution to English literature.