# Ken Follett > British novelist (born 1949) **Wikidata**: [Q210669](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q210669) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Follett) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ken-follett ## Summary Ken Follett is a British novelist born on June 5, 1949, who has become one of the world's best-selling authors, known primarily for his historical fiction and thriller novels. His career spans over four decades, beginning in 1974, and he has achieved international acclaim for works such as "The Pillars of the Earth" (1989), "World Without End" (2007), and the "Century Trilogy" ("Fall of Giants," "Winter of the World," and "Edge of Eternity"). He has been honored with multiple literary awards, including the Edgar Award, and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to literature. ## Biography - **Born**: June 5, 1949 - **Nationality**: British (citizenship: United Kingdom, France) - **Education**: University College London (public research university in London, England, United Kingdom; inception: 1826) - **Known for**: Writing bestselling historical fiction and thriller novels; creating the "Kingsbridge" series; publishing over 20 novels that have sold more than 75 million copies worldwide - **Employer(s)**: Full-time novelist (self-employed); previously worked as a journalist and editor - **Field(s)**: Historical fiction, thriller novels, espionage fiction ## Contributions Ken Follett began his writing career in 1974 and has published numerous novels across multiple genres: **Historical Fiction:** - "The Pillars of the Earth" (1989) — epic novel about the building of a cathedral in medieval England - "World Without End" (2007) — sequel set in the same fictional town of Kingsbridge, two centuries later - "A Place Called Freedom" — historical novel - "The Evening and the Morning" (2020) — prequel to "The Pillars of the Earth" **The Century Trilogy:** - "Fall of Giants" (2010) — first book following five interrelated families through the 20th century - "Winter of the World" (2012) — second book covering the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the early Cold War - "Edge of Eternity" (2014) — third book concluding the trilogy through the Cold War era **Thriller/Espionage Novels:** - "Eye of the Needle" (1978) — bestselling thriller set during World War II - "The Key to Rebecca" (1980) — spy thriller set in World War II Cairo - "The Man from St. Petersburg" (1982) — political thriller - "Lie Down with Lions" (1986) — spy novel - "On Wings of Eagles" (1983) — based on a true story - "Night Over Water" (1991) — thriller - "Code to Zero" (1998) — spy thriller - "The Hammer of Eden" (1998) — thriller - "Hornet Flight" (2002) — World War II thriller **Other Works:** - "Never" (2021) — political thriller - "The Third Twin" (1996) - "A Dangerous Fortune" (1993) ## FAQs **What is Ken Follett's most famous novel?** "The Pillars of the Earth" (1989) is widely considered his most famous work, selling over 12 million copies worldwide and being adapted into a television miniseries in 2010. **How many books has Ken Follett written?** Ken Follett has written more than 20 novels since beginning his career in 1974, including historical epics, thrillers, and spy novels. **What awards has Ken Follett received?** He has received the Edgar Award for best mystery novel, the Corine Literature Prize (a German literary award), the Audie Awards for audiobook narration, and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He also holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire. **What is the Kingsbridge series?** The Kingsbridge series is a sequence of historical fiction novels set in the fictional English town of Kingsbridge, beginning with "The Pillars of the Earth" (set in the 12th century), followed by "World Without End" (14th century), "The Evening and the Morning" (10th century), and "The Column of Fire" (1550s). **Where did Ken Follett study?** Ken Follett attended University College London (UCL), a public research university in London, England, established in 1826. **What is Ken Follett's writing process?** Follett is known for his meticulous historical research, spending months or years researching each historical novel. He typically writes seven days a week, producing several thousand words daily, and outlines his plots extensively before beginning to write. ## Why They Matter Ken Follett has had a profound impact on the publishing industry and historical fiction genre. His ability to blend meticulous historical research with compelling storytelling has made historical fiction accessible to mainstream audiences worldwide. "The Pillars of the Earth" is cited as one of the best-selling novels of all time, with over 12 million copies sold, demonstrating his influence on reader preferences and market trends. His work has influenced the historical fiction genre, inspiring countless authors to tackle similar epic historical narratives. The success of his "Century Trilogy" ("Fall of Giants," "Winter of the World," and "Edge of Eternity") showed that literary fiction about the 20th century could achieve massive commercial success, spanning themes from the trenches of World War I to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Follett's thrillers, particularly "Eye of the Needle," helped define the modern spy thriller genre and demonstrated his versatility as a writer. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages, reaching readers in virtually every country with a publishing industry. The television adaptations of his works, especially "The Pillars of the Earth" miniseries (2010), have introduced his stories to new audiences and demonstrated the commercial viability of historical fiction adaptations. His influence extends beyond literature to film and television production, shaping how historical narratives are presented in visual media. ## Notable For - **Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)** — awarded for services to literature - **Edgar Award winner** — for excellence in crime fiction - **Corine Literature Prize recipient** — German literary award - **Audie Awards winner** — American award for audiobook excellence - **Honorary doctorate** — University of Hertfordshire - **Over 75 million books sold** — worldwide total across all his novels - **"The Pillars of the Earth"** — named one of the top 100 novels of all time by the BBC - **Pioneer of the historical epic genre** — helping establish historical fiction as a mainstream bestseller category - **20+ novels published** — spanning four decades from 1974 to present - **International reach** — books translated into more than 30 languages ## Body ### Early Life and Education Ken Follett was born Kenneth Martin Follett on June 5, 1949. He grew up in a working-class family in Cardiff, Wales, though he later moved to England. His father was a civil servant, and his mother worked as a secretary. Follett developed an early interest in reading and writing, though he initially pursued a career in journalism rather than novel writing. He attended University College London (UCL), one of England's oldest and most prestigious universities, founded in 1826. At UCL, he studied philosophy, politics, and economics, though he did not complete his degree. Instead, he left university to pursue a career in journalism, working as a reporter for a local newspaper in Cardiff and later for a tabloid newspaper in London. ### Early Career in Journalism Before becoming a novelist, Follett worked as a journalist and editor. He began his career at the Evening Standard in London and later worked for other publications. This background in journalism influenced his writing style, characterized by fast-paced narratives and accessible prose. His experience in news reporting also taught him the importance of thorough research and attention to detail—qualities that would later define his historical novels. ### Breakthrough with Thriller Novels Follett's first novel, "The Big Needle" (1974), was a crime novel about a drug dealer, but it was his 1978 thriller "Eye of the Needle" that established his reputation as a bestselling author. "Eye of the Needle" featured a German spy during World War II and became an immediate bestseller, winning him the Edgar Award for best mystery novel from the Mystery Writers of America. The novel's success established Follett as a master of the thriller genre. Throughout the 1980s, Follett continued to publish successful thrillers, including "The Key to Rebecca" (1980), which became another bestseller, and "The Man from St. Petersburg" (1982). His novels during this period typically featured espionage, political intrigue, and historical settings, demonstrating his ability to blend factual history with fictional narratives. ### Transition to Historical Fiction The turning point in Follett's career came with "The Pillars of the Earth" (1989), a 1,000-page epic about the building of a fictional cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge during the 12th century. The novel was a departure from his earlier thrillers, showcasing his ability to write sweeping historical sagas. Despite its length, "The Pillars of the Earth" became one of the best-selling novels of the 1990s, selling over 12 million copies worldwide. The success of "The Pillars of the Earth" established Follett as a leading author of historical fiction. He followed it with "World Without End" (2007), set in the same fictional town but two centuries later, during the Black Death. "World Without End" was also a massive commercial success, selling over 5 million copies in its first year. ### The Kingsbridge Series Follett's "Kingsbridge" series has become one of the most successful historical fiction series in publishing history: - "The Pillars of the Earth" (1989) — 12th century, the building of Kingsbridge Cathedral - "World Without End" (2007) — 14th century, the Black Death - "The Evening and the Morning" (2020) — 10th century, the Viking Age - "The Column of Fire" (2017) — 1550s, the Elizabethan era - "The Armor of Light" (2023) — 1790s, the Industrial Revolution This series has sold tens of millions of copies combined and has been translated into numerous languages. The series is notable for its meticulous historical research, with Follett spending years researching each period to ensure historical accuracy while creating compelling fictional narratives. ### The Century Trilogy In 2010, Follett began publishing "The Century Trilogy," a three-book series following five interrelated families from different countries through the major events of the 20th century: - "Fall of Giants" (2010) — covers World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the suffragette movement - "Winter of the World" (2012) — covers the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the early Cold War - "Edge of Eternity" (2014) — covers the Cold War, the civil rights movement, and the fall of the Berlin Wall The trilogy demonstrates Follett's ability to handle large-scale historical narratives spanning decades and multiple countries, with characters from England, Germany, Russia, the United States, and Wales. ### Awards and Recognition Ken Follett has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career: - **Edgar Award** (1979) — for "Eye of the Needle," the premier award for crime fiction in the United States - **Corine Literature Prize** (2003) — prestigious German literary award - **Audie Awards** — American awards for audiobook excellence - **Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)** — awarded by Queen Elizabeth II for services to literature - **Honorary Doctor of Letters** — University of Hertfordshire - **Multiple #1 New York Times Bestsellers** — numerous novels have reached the top of bestseller lists worldwide ### Writing Process and Style Follett is known for his meticulous approach to research. For historical novels, he spends months or even years researching the period, consulting historical experts, visiting locations, and studying primary sources. This attention to detail has earned praise from historians and general readers alike. His writing process is highly disciplined. He typically writes seven days a week, producing around 2,000 words daily. He begins with extensive outlines, plotting the major events and character arcs before writing the actual prose. Despite the length of his novels, he writes without ghostwriters, maintaining complete creative control over his work. ### Personal Life Follett has been married twice. His first marriage ended in divorce. He married his second wife, Barbara (née Taylor), in 1982. Barbara Follett is a former politician who served as a Member of Parliament. They have two children together and divide their time between homes in London and the United States. Follett is known for his privacy and avoids the celebrity spotlight, preferring to let his books speak for themselves. Despite his massive success, he maintains a relatively modest public profile and rarely gives interviews. ### Influence on the Publishing Industry Follett's success has had significant implications for the publishing industry. His ability to sell millions of copies of lengthy historical novels demonstrated that there was a substantial market for literary historical fiction, encouraging publishers to invest in similar projects. His work has inspired a generation of historical fiction authors and helped establish the genre as a commercial force. The success of his books has also influenced the adaptation industry. "The Pillars of the Earth" was adapted into a television miniseries in 2010, starring Ian McShane and Rufus Sewell. The adaptation was broadcast in multiple countries and demonstrated the commercial viability of adapting historical fiction for television. ### Philanthropy and Public Service In addition to his literary career, Follett has been involved in various charitable causes. He has supported literacy organizations and educational initiatives. In 2003, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to literature and his charitable work. ### Legacy Ken Follett's legacy in literature is significant. He has helped define the modern historical fiction genre and demonstrated that literary quality and commercial success are not mutually exclusive. His books have introduced millions of readers to historical periods they might never have otherwise explored, from medieval England to 20th-century geopolitics. His influence extends beyond his own works. The success of the Kingsbridge series and the Century Trilogy has inspired countless other authors to pursue similar epic historical narratives, contributing to the popularity of historical fiction as a genre. His meticulous research methods and disciplined writing approach have also set standards for historical fiction authors. Follett has proven that thrillers and literary fiction can coexist, having successfully written in both genres throughout his career. His career trajectory—from journalist to thriller writer to historical epic novelist—demonstrates his versatility and adaptability as a writer. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. [Source](https://actualitte.com/article/127527/insolite/ken-follett-desormais-citoyen-francais) 4. [Source](http://theedgars.com/awards/) 5. [Source](https://lincolnlibraries.org/bookguide/award-winners/audie-awards/) 6. [Source](http://thrillerwriters.org/programs/award-nominees-and-winners/) 7. [Source](https://edgarawards.com/category-list-the-grand-master/) 8. International Standard Name Identifier 9. CiNii Research 10. MusicBrainz 11. IMDb 12. SNAC 13. Discogs 14. filmportal.de 15. Internet Speculative Fiction Database 16. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 17. NooSFere 18. Babelio 19. Munzinger Personen 20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 21. Virtual International Authority File 22. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies 23. CONOR.SI 24. BBC Things 25. Goodreads 26. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 27. Quora 28. The Movie Database 29. LIBRIS. 2016 30. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/ken-follett-107ZztKs7w/appearances)