Anthony Horowitz

Anthony Horowitz
source
Name	Anthony Horowitz
Birth date	5 April 1955
Birth place	Stanmore, Middlesex, England
Occupation	Novelist, screenwriter
Nationality	British
Notableworks	Alex Rider, The Power of Five, Foyle's War
Spouse	Jill Green (m. 1988)

Anthony Horowitz. Anthony Horowitz is a prolific and celebrated British author and screenwriter, renowned for his work in children's literature, adult thrillers, and television drama. He is best known as the creator of the globally successful Alex Rider series of spy novels and for his long-running television series Foyle's War. His diverse career also includes authorized continuations of classic detective series, notably new novels featuring Sherlock Holmes and James Bond.

Early life and education

He was born in Stanmore, Middlesex, to a wealthy Jewish family; his father, a businessman, was connected to associates of the former Prime Minister Harold Wilson. He was educated at Orley Farm School, a preparatory school in Harrow, and later at Rugby School, an experience he has described as unhappy. He subsequently studied English and art history at the University of York, graduating in 1977. His early ambition to write was fueled by a difficult childhood, during which he found solace in the works of authors like Ian Fleming and Arthur Conan Doyle.

Writing career

His career began with children's novels such as The Sinister Secret of Frederick K Bower and the Pentagram series. His breakthrough came with the creation of the teenage spy Alex Rider, with the first novel, Stormbreaker, published in 2000; the series was later adapted into a feature film starring Alex Pettyfer. He simultaneously developed a major career in television, creating and writing the acclaimed ITV series Foyle's War, set during the Second World War. For adult audiences, he has written standalone thrillers like The Word Is Murder, featuring detective Daniel Hawthorne, and was selected by the Ian Fleming estate to write James Bond novels, including Trigger Mortis and Forever and a Day. Furthermore, he was commissioned by the Conan Doyle estate to write two Sherlock Holmes novels, The House of Silk and Moriarty.

Personal life

He married television producer Jill Green in 1988, and they have two sons, Nicholas and Cassian. The family divides their time between homes in London and Suffolk. An avid traveler, his journeys have inspired settings for his The Power of Five series and other works. He is a patron of the National Literacy Trust and has been vocal about the importance of reading for pleasure, often speaking at literary festivals and educational events. His personal interests include theatre and classical music.

Awards and recognition

His work has garnered numerous accolades, including a BAFTA nomination for his work on Foyle's War. He has received several Children's Book Awards for the Alex Rider series and was honored with an OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to literature and charity. In 2023, he was awarded the prestigious Diamond Dagger by the Crime Writers' Association for lifetime achievement. His novels consistently top bestseller lists in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Bibliography

A selected bibliography includes the core series and major standalone works. The Alex Rider series comprises over a dozen novels, beginning with Stormbreaker and continuing through to Nightshade. His other major series for younger readers is The Power of Five (formerly known as The Gatekeepers). Notable adult thrillers include the Daniel Hawthorne series, starting with The Word Is Murder, and his authorized continuations: the James Bond novels Trigger Mortis and Forever and a Day, and the Sherlock Holmes novels The House of Silk and Moriarty. His television writing credits are extensive, most famously encompassing all episodes of Foyle's War and contributing to series such as Midsomer Murders and Poirot. Category:British novelists Category:English screenwriters Category:1955 births