Jonathan Stroud

Jonathan Stroud is a renowned British author, best known for his young adult and children's fantasy novels. Growing up in St. Albans, Stroud discovered a love for reading, writing, and drawing at a young age. His passion for stories was cultivated during his childhood, as he spent extended periods in the hospital or at home due to poor health. He filled his time with books and stories, which ignited his interest in creating his own worlds and characters.

Stroud pursued his love for literature at the University of York, studying English literature. After graduation, he began working in London as an editor for Walker Books. This experience exposed him to various types of books and inspired him to start writing his own stories. In the 1990s, Stroud started publishing his work, quickly gaining recognition for his captivating storytelling. His first children's novel, Buried Fire, marked the beginning of a successful career in children's and young adult fiction.

Stroud is perhaps best known for his Bartimaeus series and the Lockwood & Co. series. The Bartimaeus Trilogy, consisting of The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate, explores the stereotypes and ethics of the magician class and enslaved demons through the perspective of the sarcastic djinni Bartimaeus. This unique narrative approach sets the series apart from others in the genre. Stroud's work has been well-received, with his books translated into 36 languages and adapted for Netflix. He currently resides in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, with his wife, Gina, an illustrator of children's books, and their two children.