Peter Soyer Beagle was born on April 20, 1939, in New York. He is a renowned American novelist and screenwriter, particularly celebrated for his contributions to the genre of fantasy fiction. Beagle's most distinguished work, The Last Unicorn (1968), has been highly acclaimed, securing its place as the number five "All-Time Best Fantasy Novel" in a 1987 poll by Locus subscribers. Over the past twenty-five years, he has been honored with several literary awards, including a World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2011. Additionally, in 2018, The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named him Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master.

Beagle began his illustrious career at a young age, writing his first novel, A Fine and Private Place, at the age of 19. Today, he is regarded as one of the leading authors in the fantasy genre, with The Last Unicorn regularly appearing in the top ten fantasy novels of all time. His other notable works include A Fine and Private Place and I See By My Outfit, both of which are considered modern classics. Besides his work in literature, Beagle is also a talented guitarist and folk singer.