Bernard Cornwell

Bernard Cornwell is a renowned English author, celebrated for his historical fiction novels. He was born in London in 1944, and his upbringing was influenced by the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect. After leaving them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell. Cornwell's love for historical fiction was inspired by the novels of C.S. Forester, which led him to create his own series based on the Napoleonic Wars, featuring the memorable character Richard Sharpe.

Cornwell's Sharpe series became extremely popular, leading to their adaptation into successful television series and serials for BBC and ITV. In addition to the Sharpe series, Cornwell has penned several other historical series, including The Starbuck Chronicles, The Warlord Chronicles, The Grail Quest, and The Saxon Stories. He has also written a handful of modern mystery thrillers, showcasing his versatility as an author.

Cornwell's writing career began when he moved to the United States and was unable to obtain a work permit. Driven by necessity, he started writing novels, a profession that did not require a work permit. His first few novels, Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, were published in 1981, and he has been writing ever since. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List in 2006. Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008, further solidifying his place as a master of historical fiction.