James Dover Grant, primarily known by his pen name Lee Child, is a British author celebrated for his thrilling Jack Reacher novel series. The series, which spotlights the adventures of the former American military policeman, Jack Reacher, who elects to wander the United States, has captured the imaginations of readers worldwide. Child's debut novel, Killing Floor (1997), not only introduced the iconic character but also earned him the Anthony Award and the Barry Award for Best First Novel in 1998.

Child was born on October 29, 1954, in Coventry, England, but spent his formative years in Birmingham. Interestingly, he attended the same high school as J.R.R. Tolkien, a connection that hints at the literary talent that was to flourish. After pursuing law at Sheffield University, Child embarked on a notable eighteen-year career in television with Granada Television in Manchester, contributing to British TV’s "golden age" with acclaimed productions like Brideshead Revisited, The Jewel in the Crown, Prime Suspect, and Cracker. However, his tenure ended abruptly in 1995 due to corporate restructuring, leading him at the age of 40 to pivot towards writing, a field where he has since achieved monumental success.