Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett was an acclaimed English author, best known for his Discworld comic fantasy series. He was born Terrence David John Pratchett in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England, on April 28, 1948. Pratchett was an only child, and his love for reading and writing developed at a young age. He spent most of his childhood in the Beaconsfield library and sold his first story at the age of thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter.

Pratchett's professional writing career began in 1971 with the publication of his first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled 'The Carpet People'. He worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel, 'The Color of Magic', in 1983. In 1987, he turned to writing full-time and went on to publish over 40 books in the Discworld series, of which four are written for children. His children's books, including 'The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents', have won several awards, including the Carnegie Medal.

Pratchett's work has received international recognition and acclaim. He has won numerous literary awards and has been named an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to literature. He has also received honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Warwick, the University of Portsmouth, the University of Bath, the University of Bristol, Buckinghamshire New University, the University of Dublin, Bradford University, the University of Winchester, and The Open University.

Pratchett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007, but he continued to write and publish books, including 'Nation' and 'Snuff'. He passed away on March 12, 2015, but his work remains significant and influential in the world of satire and fantasy literature. His novels have sold over 55 million copies and have been translated into 36 languages. Pratchett's legacy is celebrated through the many awards and accolades he received during his lifetime, as well as through the ongoing popularity and influence of his work.