William Martin is a best-selling author, PBS documentarian, and screenwriter, who is best known for his historical fiction novels. He was raised in Massachusetts and attended Harvard University, where he majored in English. After graduating in 1972, he went on to study motion pictures at the University of Southern California.
Martin's writing career began with screenplays, but he soon turned to writing novels. His debut novel, "Back Bay," was published in 1979 and became an instant hit, selling millions of copies and becoming a New York Times bestseller. Since then, he has written numerous historical novels, including the Peter Fallon series, "Annapolis," and "The Rising of the Moon." His latest novel, "Citizen Washington," was published recently.
Known as the "king of the historical thriller" (Providence Journal), Martin's novels have chronicled the lives of the great and anonymous in American history, bringing to life legendary American locations. His latest novel, "December '41," has been praised by critics as "propulsive," "cinematic," and "riveting." He has received several awards for his contributions to literature, including the prestigious 2005 New England Book Award and the Samuel Eliot Morison Award in 2015.
Martin currently resides in Weston, Massachusetts, with his family. In addition to his novels, he has written book reviews, magazine articles, and a cult classic horror movie. He has also produced an award-winning PBS documentary on the life of Washington and has taught writing across the country. He was the recipient of the 2005 New England Book Award, given to an author whose body of work stands as a significant contribution to the culture of the region.