William Thomas Harris III, known professionally as Thomas Harris, was born on September 22, 1940, in Jackson, Tennessee. He is an acclaimed American writer, celebrated for his suspense novels that delve into the psyche of his most infamous character, Hannibal Lecter. Harris's works have not only captivated readers worldwide but have also been transformed into iconic films and television series, with The Silence of the Lambs notably sweeping the Academy Awards in all of the five major categories, a rare feat in the Oscars' history.

Harris embarked on his writing career by covering crime in the United States and Mexico, serving as a reporter and editor for the Associated Press in New York City. His foray into the literary world commenced with his debut novel, Black Sunday, in 1975. Following this, he released a string of successful novels including Red Dragon in 1981, The Silence of the Lambs in 1988, Hannibal in 1999, and Hannibal Rising in 2006. To date, his novels have sold over 50 million copies globally, with The Silence of the Lambs alone accounting for 10 million of those sales.