Terry Lee Goodkind (January 11, 1948 – September 17, 2020) was an acclaimed American writer, best known for his epic fantasy series The Sword of Truth as well as the contemporary suspense novel The Law of Nines (2009), which is connected to his fantasy series. The Sword of Truth series has enjoyed immense popularity, selling 25 million copies worldwide and being translated into more than 20 languages. Furthermore, it garnered a television adaptation titled Legend of the Seeker, which debuted on November 1, 2008, and concluded after two seasons in May 2010.

Goodkind was a fervent advocate for Ayn Rand's philosophical system of Objectivism, frequently incorporating Rand's ideas and novels into his works. His contributions to literature and philosophy have left a lasting impact, making him a significant figure in the realms of fantasy and objectivist thought.