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Ken FollettEnglish writer
Date of Birth: 05.06.1949
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Ken Follett: Master of Thrillers and Historical Fiction
- Journalism and Publishing
- Literary Success
- Political Activism
- Public Advocacy
Ken Follett: Master of Thrillers and Historical Fiction
Early Life and EducationKen Follett, born in Cardiff, Wales, was the eldest son of Martin and Lavinia Follett. His devout Christian upbringing restricted his exposure to television and cinema, fostering a love of reading from a young age. Despite average academic performance in his early years, Follett went on to study philosophy at University College London, where he became politically active in the left-of-center movement.
Journalism and Publishing
After graduating in 1970, Follett pursued journalism, working as an assistant reporter for the "South Wales Echo" in Cardiff. Moving to London, he became a general reporter for the "Evening News." However, dissatisfied with his profession, Follett transitioned to publishing, eventually becoming Deputy Editor of the small London-based "Everest Books."
Literary Success
Writing became Follett's evening and weekend hobby. Inspired by the need to fund car repairs, he penned "Eye of the Needle" in 1978, a novel that propelled him to both financial success and literary acclaim. Subsequent novels, including "The Key to Rebecca," "Lie Down with Lions," "Triple," and "World Without End," consistently topped the "New York Times" bestseller list and were later adapted for film and television.
Political Activism
In the late 1970s, Follett resumed his political involvement with the British Labour Party. During this time, he met Barbara Broer, his future second wife. They married in 1984, and Broer was elected Member of Parliament for Stevenage in 1997, serving until 2010. Follett remained an active supporter of the Labour Party, hosting fundraisers and endorsing candidates.
Public Advocacy
Follett used his platform to advocate for various causes. In 2010, he co-signed an open letter protesting Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom. He is also a major donor to the campaign of Ed Balls, a Labour Party candidate for party leadership, citing Balls' financial expertise as essential for economic growth.
