Piers Anthony Dillingham Jacob, better known by his pen name Piers Anthony, was born on 6 August 1934 in Oxford, England. After spending his early childhood in England, Anthony and his family moved to the United States, where he would eventually become a celebrated author in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He is renowned for his extensive work, particularly the long-running novel series set in the fictional realm of Xanth. Anthony's books have frequently graced The New York Times Best Seller list, and he prides himself on a unique achievement: publishing a book for every letter of the alphabet, from Anthonology to Zombie Lover.

Anthony embarked on his education journey in the United States, graduating from Goddard College in Vermont in 1956. It was during this time that he met and married Carol Marble. His early career was marked by a variety of jobs, including a stint in the U.S. Army, which he joined in 1957 for a steady income and medical insurance. This period of his life also saw him become a U.S. citizen in 1958, an editor and cartoonist for the Battalion newspaper, and briefly, a public school teacher. Ultimately, Anthony transitioned to full-time writing, a decision that allowed him to dedicate himself entirely to his passion for storytelling.

Today, Anthony lives with his wife on a tree farm in Florida, which he owns. Beyond his prolific writing career, Anthony is a self-proclaimed environmentalist, a reflection of his commitment to preserving the natural world. He and his wife have two grown daughters.