Joan Druett is a renowned author from New Zealand, known for her historical fiction and non-fiction books, particularly in the field of maritime history. Druett earned her B.A. in English literature from Victoria University of Wellington and worked as a biology and English literature teacher for several years. She had always wanted to be a published author since she was a teenager, but it wasn't until she was 40 that she achieved her dream. Druett and her husband, Ron, have two sons and six grandchildren.
Druett's interest in maritime history was sparked in 1984 when she stumbled upon the grave of a young whaling wife while on the island of Rarotonga. This discovery led to her writing 18 books on the subject, including a biography of Tupaia, a star navigator and artist from Tahiti who sailed with Captain Cook. Druett's writing has received critical acclaim, and she has won numerous awards for her work, including the John David Stout Fellowship and the Albert Corey Award.
In addition to her writing, Druett has also held various positions in the academic and museum worlds. She was a writer/historian for the "The Sailing Circle," a museum exhibit in New York, and an artist in residence at the William Steeple Davis Trust studio and house. She has also been an associate at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.
Druett's writing is informed by her extensive travels, having visited countries such as Britain, Canada, and various countries in the Middle East. She has also received fellowships that allowed her to conduct research in the United States, including a Fulbright Scholarship. Druett's work has been translated into several languages, including Italian, Ukrainian, Chinese, and French.