Wilbur Smith was a highly acclaimed author, best known for his historical adventure novels. He was born in Broken Hill, Zambia, on January 9, 1933, to Herbert and Elfreda Lawrence James Smith. After graduating from Natal and Rhodes University with a degree in Commercial Sciences in 1954, Smith began his career at the Goodyear Tires and Rubber Co. of Port Elizabeth. He later joined H. J. Smith and Son Ltd. of Salisbury, Zambia, where he worked until 1963.
Smith's passion for writing led him to become a full-time author in 1964, following the successful publication of his first novel, 'When the Lion Feeds'. Over the course of his career, he wrote more than 40 novels, all meticulously researched through his numerous expeditions worldwide. His works have been translated into 26 different languages and have sold over 120 million copies. Smith is particularly known for his three series - the Courtney Family series, the Ballatyne Family series, and the Egyptian series. His writing is largely inspired by his former home continent, Africa.
Smith's Courtney series includes popular novels such as 'Assegai', 'The Sound of Thunder', 'Birds of Prey', 'Monsoon', and 'Blue Horizon'. His other notable works include 'Those in Peril', 'River God', 'Warlock', 'The Seventh Scroll', and 'The Sunbird'. Despite living in London, Smith's deep-rooted passion and concern for his native continent, Africa, remained evident in his writing. He passed away at his Cape Town home on November 13, 2021, at the age of 88. By the time of his death, he had published 49 books and had sold more than 140 million copies.