Dan Brown is an American writer known for his gripping and intellectually stimulating thriller novels. He is the author of The Da Vinci Code (2003), which has become one of the bestselling novels of all time. His novels are translated into 56 languages worldwide, with over 200 million copies in print.
In 2005, Dan Brown was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine, whose editors credited him with "keeping the publishing industry afloat; renewed interest in Leonardo da Vinci and early Christian history; spiking tourism to Paris and Rome; a growing membership in secret societies; the ire of Cardinals in Rome; eight books denying the claims of the novel and seven guides to read along with it; a flood of historical thrillers; and a major motion picture franchise."
Dan Brown was born in Exeter, New Hampshire. Dan Brown attended Phillips Exeter Academy, a prestigious preparatory school in New Hampshire. Following this, he enrolled at Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he double majored in English and Spanish.
He was an active member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity and even served as its president. Brown graduated from Amherst College in 1986.
He developed a passion for storytelling from an early age. Brown's writing style is characterized by weaving together historical themes, art, symbols, and religious conspiracy theories, making his novels popular for their suspenseful plots and thought-provoking content.
Dan Brown debuted with the novel Digital Fortress, published in 1998. This techno-thriller is set in the world of cryptography and computer security. Brown explores themes of government surveillance, code-breaking, and the potential consequences of powerful encryption technology falling into the wrong hands. While Digital Fortress was well-received by critics, it did not achieve the same level of commercial success as his later works, Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code, which catapulted him to international fame.
In 2000 came out the novel Angels & Demons. This book introduces readers to Robert Langdon, a symbology professor at Harvard University who becomes the main character in many of Brown's later works. The story revolves around a mysterious secret society, the Illuminati, and a threat to Vatican City.
Undoubtedly his most famous work, The Da Vinci Code, catapulted Brown to global fame. In this novel, Langdon embarks on a quest to solve cryptic puzzles and unravel hidden codes, leading him on a thrilling journey through art, history, and religious mysteries.
In The Lost Symbol (2009), Langdon finds himself in Washington, D.C., entangled in a web of secrets tied to the Masonic order and the search for ancient wisdom.
Continuing the adventures of Robert Langdon, Inferno (2013) revolves around Dante Alighieri's epic poem "Inferno" and explores themes related to overpopulation and its potential consequences.
In the novel, Origin (2017), Langdon investigates the answers to two fundamental questions about humanity's roots and future, incorporating themes of artificial intelligence and scientific advancements.
The overwhelming popularity of Brown's novels also led to film adaptations of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons.
Dan Brown lives in New England.
Photo Credit: Dan Courter
