Patrick Süskind is a renowned German writer and screenwriter, best known for his novel Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, which became an international bestseller and has been adapted into various forms of media including film and stage. Born on March 26, 1949, Süskind grew up in Ambach, Bavaria, and later studied medieval and modern history at the University of Munich and in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Following his studies, he worked as a screenwriter, notably for the television series Monaco Franze and Kir Royal. Süskind's literary career took off with the publication of Perfume in 1985. The novel tells the story of a perfumer with an extraordinary sense of smell who becomes obsessed with creating the world's best perfume and resorts to murder in his quest for the perfect scent. It remains his most prominent work to date.

In addition to Perfume, Süskind has authored other works, including The Pigeon, a novella which explores themes of anxiety and isolation, and The Story of Mr Sommer, a coming-of-age tale. Despite his success, Patrick Süskind is known for his reclusive nature, avoiding public appearances and interviews, which adds an air of mystery to his persona.