James Brendan Patterson, one of the most renowned authors in the world of literature, was born on March 22, 1947, in Newburgh, New York. He grew up in a family of the working class and later attended Manhattan College to earn his Bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, he earned a Master’s degree in English from Vanderbilt University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin. From here, Patterson went on to achieve greatness, ending up with over 300 million copies of his literature sold and counting. 

His journey to this greatness started with his first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, which he published in 1976. It earned great recognition, as it won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, which is not bad for a novel that was initially turned down thirty-one times by publishers. From there, he has written over 150 books spanning a variety of genres, from thrillers to young-adult fiction. Patterson is most renowned for his Alex Cross and Women’s Murder Club series, which have been adapted into popular movies and television shows. 

What makes Patterson a unique novelist is his writing style, which makes his storytelling fast-paced and suspenseful. It is intended to make readers stay at the edge of their seats. Moreover, his ability to create intricate yet connectable characters for the reader, combined with his skill of weaving complex storylines, makes his books ever so interesting. 

Numerous awards and achievements can back up Patterson’s great intellect in literature. He has received the International Thriller of the Year Award, the Children’s Choice Book Award, and the Edgar Award, among many others. In 2015, the National Book Foundation awarded him the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community for a lifetime of literary excellence and for giving birth to countless amounts of avid readers. 

Patterson is also the holder of numerous world records. He had gotten his place in the Guinness World Records as the author with the most New York Times bestsellers, as well as the first author to sell one million ebooks. From 2009 to 2019, Patterson accumulated the most earnings out of any author in the world, with about $836 million. 

On top of his literary prowess, Patterson is avid in philanthropy. He and his spouse, Susan, have donated millions of dollars to various causes, including literacy initiatives and education. In 2015, the couple created the Patterson Family Foundation, which provides necessary funding for scholarships and literacy programs for students. His contributions to the world got him recognized as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people on the planet. 

Undoubtedly, Patterson is a legendary author who has made his mark on the literary world. Through his philanthropic efforts and numerous literary achievements, he has shown his dedication to the literary community and society altogether. 

 “Reading is not work, not a chore, not a drudgery; reading is the most joyful thing, yet, in the world.”

— James Patterson