James Patterson, born on March 22, 1947, in Newburgh, New York, is a prolific American author known for his thriller and suspense novels. He grew up in a working-class family and pursued his education at Manhattan College, where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English.

He later earned an M.A. in English from Vanderbilt University. Patterson initially embarked on a career in advertising, working as an executive at J. Walter Thompson before retiring in 1996 to focus on writing full-time.

His literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, in 1976, which won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. However, it was his Alex Cross series that catapulted him to fame. The series, featuring a forensic psychologist and detective, began with Along Came a Spider in 1993 and includes numerous bestsellers such as Kiss the Girls and Cross.

In his personal life, James Patterson married Susan Patterson in 1997, and they have one son together. He is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in promoting literacy. He has donated millions of dollars to various educational institutions, libraries, and independent bookstores. His lifestyle reflects his success, with homes in Florida and New York, and a penchant for supporting causes close to his heart.

His career is marked by an impressive output of over 200 novels, many of which have been adapted into films and television series. His notable works include the Women's Murder Club series, the Michael Bennett series, and the Maximum Ride series.

While James Patterson is primarily known for his novels, he has also ventured into non-fiction and children's books. His dedication to writing and his business acumen have earned him numerous accolades, including the Edgar Award, the BCA Mystery Guild's Thriller of the Year, and the Children's Choice Book Award for Author of the Year.

His books have sold more than 425 million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling authors of all time.