James Brendan Patterson, born on March 22, 1947, in Newburgh, New York, is one of the most prolific and commercially successful authors in modern publishing history. He began his career in advertising, working as a creative director at J. Walter Thompson in New York City, where he rose to become the youngest-ever executive creative director. Patterson transitioned to writing full-time in the early 1970s, achieving his breakthrough with the psychological thriller 'The Thomas Berryman Number' in 1976, which won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Over the decades, he has authored or co-authored hundreds of books, primarily in the thriller genre, including iconic series such as Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club, and Maximum Ride. His works are known for their fast-paced plots, short chapters, and collaborative writing process, often partnering with other authors to maintain high output. Patterson's books have sold over 425 million copies worldwide, making him the best-selling author of all time by some metrics, and he was the first to sell one million e-books. In 2016, he topped Forbes' list of highest-paid authors with $95 million in earnings, contributing to an estimated decade-long income of $700 million. Beyond fiction, Patterson has ventured into non-fiction, including the 2016 book 'Filthy Rich: A Powerful Billionaire, the Sex Scandal that Undid Him, and All the Justice that Money Can Buy,' co-authored with John Connolly and Tim Malloy, which details the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein based on reporting by the Miami Herald's Julie K. Brown. This work brought renewed attention to Epstein's sex trafficking network and its high-profile connections. Patterson is also a noted philanthropist, having donated tens of millions of dollars to literacy initiatives, school libraries, and educational programs through his James Patterson PageTurner Awards and partnerships with organizations like Scholastic. He has produced films and television adaptations of his works, including the 'Along Came a Spider' movie starring Morgan Freeman. Despite his immense success, Patterson has faced criticism from literary circles for his formulaic style and reliance on co-authors, though his influence on popularizing thrillers and promoting reading is undeniable. Patterson resides in Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife, Sue, and continues to write prolifically into his later years. His career exemplifies the intersection of commercial publishing, media production, and social impact, shaping contemporary thriller fiction and advocating for literacy amid declining reading rates.