John Michael Crichton was an American author, screenwriter, and filmmaker known for his contributions to the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and medical fiction. His works have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, with more than a dozen adapted into films. Crichton's novels often explore the intersection of human technological advancement and nature, frequently resulting in cautionary tales of biotechnology gone awry.

Crichton received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1969, but chose not to practice medicine, instead focusing on writing. Initially using pseudonyms such as John Lange, Jeffrey Hudson, and Michael Douglas, he published 25 novels including The Andromeda Strain (1969), The Terminal Man (1972), The Great Train Robbery (1975), Congo (1980), Sphere (1987), Jurassic Park (1990), Rising Sun (1992), and State of Fear (2004). Posthumously, four novels in various states of completion were published.

In addition to his literary career, Crichton was active in the film and television industry, writing and directing Westworld (1973), the first film to employ 2D computer-generated imagery. He also directed Coma (1978), The First Great Train Robbery (1978), Looker (1981), and Runaway (1984). Crichton created the television series ER (1994–2009), and the Jurassic Park franchise remains one of the most notable adaptations of his work.