Ken Follett is one of the world’s best-loved authors. More than 200 million copies of the 39 books he has written have been sold in over 80 countries and in 40 languages.
Born on June 5, 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, the son of a tax inspector, Ken was educated at state schools and went on to graduate from University College, London, with an Honours degree in Philosophy. He was made a Fellow of the College in 1995.
He started his career as a reporter, first with his hometown newspaper the South Wales Echo and then with the London Evening News. Subsequently, he worked for a small London publishing house, Everest Books, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director.
Ken’s first major success came with the publication of Eye of the Needle in 1978. A World War II thriller set in England, this book earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America. It remains one of Ken’s most popular books.
In 1989, Ken’s epic novel about the building of a medieval cathedral, The Pillars of the Earth, was published. It reached number one on best-seller lists everywhere and was turned into a major television series produced by Ridley Scott, which aired in 2010. World Without End, the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, proved equally popular when it was published in 2007.
His new novel, The Deep and Secret Things, is a sweeping family drama set against the backdrop of Victorian Britain. It follows the intertwined fortunes of two families as they strive to secure their place in society during a period of immense social and industrial change, while grappling with religion, greed, ambition and love. The novel will be published in the US and UK on 21 September 2027 and in other countries on the same day or shortly after.
He has been active in numerous literacy charities and was president of Dyslexia Action for ten years. He chaired the National Year of Reading in 1999, a joint initiative between government and businesses, and is proud to serve as an ambassador for the National Year of Reading 2026. He is also active in many local charities.
Ken, who loves music almost as much as he loves books, is an enthusiastic bass guitar player. He lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with his wife Barbara, the former Labour Member of Parliament for Stevenage. Between them they have five children, six grandchildren and two Labradors.