Karen Armstrong is a renowned British author and commentator, known for her expertise in comparative religion. She was born on November 14, 1944, in Wildmoor, Worcestershire, and later moved with her family to Bromsgrove and Birmingham. Armstrong was raised in an Irish Catholic family and attended a convent school, which led to her eventual decision to become a nun. However, she left the convent after seven years and pursued a career in teaching.
Armstrong is the author of several best-selling books on religion, including "The Case for God," "A History of God," "The Battle for God," "Holy War," "Islam," "Buddha," and "Fields of Blood," as well as a memoir titled "The Spiral Staircase." Her work has been translated into 45 languages, demonstrating the global impact and relevance of her writing. In 2008, Armstrong was awarded the TED Prize for her efforts to promote interfaith understanding and compassion. She used this prize to launch the Charter for Compassion, an online document created by individuals from diverse religious and secular backgrounds, which was signed by over 100,000 people.
Armstrong's contributions to religious discourse have been recognized through numerous awards and accolades. In 2008, she received the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Medal, and in 2013, she was awarded the British Academy’s inaugural Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize for Transcultural Understanding. She has also been invited to speak at various prestigious events and institutions, including the U.S. Congress, the U.S. State Department, the World Economic Forum, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Armstrong's ability to bridge cultural and religious divides has made her a sought-after speaker and authority on religious affairs. She currently resides in London and continues to write and speak on issues related to religion and compassion.