Ken Follett

About the Author

Ken Follett is one of the world’s most successful authors. More than 198 million copies of the 38 books he has written have been sold in over 80 countries and in 40 languages.

He started his career as a reporter, first with his hometown newspaper the South Wales Echo and then with the London Evening News.
Ken’s first major success came with the publication of Eye of the Needle in 1978, which earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America.

In 1989, The Pillars of the Earth, Ken’s epic novel about the building of a medieval cathedral, reached number one on bestseller lists everywhere. It was turned into a major television series produced by Ridley Scott, which aired in 2010. 

Ken has been active in numerous literacy charities and was president of Dyslexia Action for ten years. He is also a past chair of the National Year of Reading, a joint initiative between government and business. He lives in Hertfordshire, England, with his wife Barbara. Between them they have five children, six grandchildren and three Labradors.
 

By the Author

Events

September 2025

  • Philadelphia: An evening with Ken Follett

    Hosted by Free Library of Philadelphia.

    Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, Philadelphia, PA USA

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  • New York: In conversation with David Grann

    Hosted by Brooklyn Public Library.

    Brooklyn Public Library, New York, NY USA

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  • In conversation with Joe Donahue

    Hosted by Oblong Books.

    The Bardavon Opera House, Poughkeepsie, NY USA

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