Zia Haider Rahman is a British novelist of Bangladeshi origin whose debut novel, "In the Light of What We Know," garnered international acclaim upon its publication in 2014. The work was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize, establishing Rahman as a significant new voice in contemporary literature. His writing often explores themes of identity, displacement, and the intersections of mathematics, philosophy, and human experience.
Before pursuing fiction, Rahman led a distinguished academic and professional career. Born in Sylhet, Bangladesh, he moved to London as a child and later studied mathematics at Oxford University, earning scholarships to further his education at Munich, Cambridge, and Yale. After working as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, he transitioned to law, becoming an international human rights lawyer. This diverse background informs his nuanced storytelling, blending intellectual rigor with deeply human narratives.