Dan Brown, born Daniel Gerhard Brown on June 22, 1964, in Exeter, New Hampshire, is an acclaimed American author best known for his thriller novels. He grew up on the campus of Phillips Exeter Academy, where his father was a mathematics teacher and his mother a church organist.

He attended Amherst College, graduating in 1986, and initially pursued a career in music before turning to writing. His first book, a dating survival guide titled "187 Men to Avoid," was published in 1995, but it was his shift to thriller novels that brought him international fame.

His breakthrough came with the publication of "Digital Fortress" in 1998, a novel centered on cryptography and covert intelligence agencies. This was followed by "Angels & Demons" in 2000, which introduced the character Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor of symbology. However, it was "The Da Vinci Code," published in 2003, that catapulted him to global stardom.

The novel, which explores themes of art, history, and religion, became a bestseller and was later adapted into a successful film. He continued to write in the same vein, producing other Robert Langdon novels such as "The Lost Symbol," "Inferno," and "Origin."

His novels are known for their fast-paced plots, intricate puzzles, and exploration of secret societies and historical mysteries. His works have been translated into 57 languages and have sold over 200 million copies worldwide.

In his personal life, Dan Brown married Blythe Newlon in 1997, who played a significant role in his early career by helping him with research and promotion. The couple divorced in 2019.

His interest in science and religion, influenced by his upbringing and education, is evident in his writing. He describes himself as being on a "constant spiritual journey" and aims to promote discussion and introspection through his novels.

Throughout his career, Dan Brown has received numerous accolades. His novel "The Da Vinci Code" won the British Book Awards' Book of the Year in 2004. He has also been recognized for his contributions to literature and his ability to engage readers with complex and thought-provoking themes.