Stephen Reeder Donaldson, born May 13, 1947, is a distinguished American fantasy, science fiction, and mystery novelist, best known for The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, his ten-novel fantasy series. His work is celebrated for its psychological complexity, conceptual abstractness, moral bleakness, and the utilization of an arcane vocabulary. Donaldson's novels have garnered critical acclaim for their imagination, vivid characterizations, and fast pace.

Donaldson completed his undergraduate studies at The College of Wooster and later earned a Master's degree from Kent State University. He has lived across the globe, spending significant years of his childhood in India, where his father worked as an orthopaedic surgeon. Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In addition to his fantasy and science fiction novels, Donaldson has also ventured into non-fiction under the pen name Reed Stephens. His richly detailed narratives and complex characters continue to captivate readers worldwide.