Wilbur Smith

About

African-born author whose work pertains to the discovery and colonization of African territories. His works include the Ballantyne, Courtney, and Egyptian series.

Before Fame

He graduated from Rhodes University in South Africa in 1954. He worked as an accountant before publishing his first novel, When the Lion Feeds, in 1964.

Trivia

He spent a portion of his childhood working on a cattle ranch in his native Northern Rhodesia (modern-day Zambia).

Family Life

He was married and divorced twice and had three children before he wed his third wife, Danielle Thomas, in 1971. He dedicated all of his books to her until her death in 1999.

Associated With

His novel, The Diamond Hunters, was adapted into a film starring Alyssa Milano.