Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) was an English author celebrated for his satirical fantasy novels and sharp wit. Born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, he began his career as a journalist before becoming a full-time writer in 1987. Over his lifetime, he sold more than 100 million books in over 40 languages, making him one of Britain's most beloved and widely read authors.

Pratchett is best known for the Discworld series, a 41-novel saga set on a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants riding a giant turtle through space. Beginning with The Colour of Magic in 1983, the series used humor and parody to explore themes such as death, religion, politics, and technology. Standout titles include Mort, Guards! Guards!, Small Gods, and Going Postal. He also co-authored Good Omens with Neil Gaiman, later adapted into a popular television series.

Among his honors, Pratchett won the Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (2001) and was knighted for services to literature in 2009. Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease in 2007, he became a prominent advocate for assisted dying. He died in 2015, leaving a legacy of inventive, humane, and wickedly funny storytelling.