James Patterson is a well-known American author and philanthropist. He was born on March 22, 1947, in Newburgh, New York. Patterson graduated from Manhattan College with a degree in English, and then went on to earn a master’s degree in English from Vanderbilt University.
Patterson began his writing career as an advertising executive, and later moved on to writing novels. He gained fame for his suspenseful thrillers, including the Alex Cross series and the Women’s Murder Club series. His books are known for their fast-paced plots and memorable characters, and many of them have been adapted into movies and television shows.
In addition to his writing career, Patterson is also a dedicated philanthropist. He has donated millions of dollars to support reading initiatives and literacy programs, and has founded the James Patterson PageTurner Awards to support individuals and organizations that promote reading and literacy.
Despite his success as a writer, Patterson has been criticized for his prolific output and his use of co-authors to help him write his books. However, his fans continue to appreciate his work and his dedication to promoting reading and literacy, making him one of the most popular and influential authors of his generation.
James Patterson with President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
Let’s take a look at these 24 interesting facts about James Patterson to know more about him.
- James Brendan Patterson was born on March 22, 1947, in Newburgh, New York.
- Patterson attended Manhattan College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and later received a Master of Arts in English from Vanderbilt University.
- Patterson worked in advertising before becoming a full-time writer.
- Patterson wrote his first novel, “The Thomas Berryman Number,” in his spare time while still working in advertising.
- The novel won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel from the Mystery Writers of America.
- Patterson has written over 200 books, which have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide.
- He is the only author to have had #1 New York Times bestsellers in the categories of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books.
- Patterson is known for his suspenseful thrillers and has created several popular series, including the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, and Maximum Ride series.
- He has also written romance novels under the pseudonym of Jack Patterson.
- Patterson has won numerous awards for his writing, including the Edgar Award, the International Thriller of the Year Award, and the Children’s Choice Book Award.
- In 2015, Patterson was awarded the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation for his contributions to the literary community.
- Patterson is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education and literacy.
- In 2016, he pledged to donate $1.75 million to school libraries across the United States.
- Patterson is a strong advocate for reading and literacy and has worked to promote these causes through his “ReadKiddoRead” program.
- Patterson has co-authored many of his books with other writers, including Andrew Gross, Maxine Paetro, and Michael Ledwidge.
- He has also collaborated with former President Bill Clinton on the thriller novel, “The President is Missing.”
- Patterson’s books have been adapted for film and television, including the Alex Cross series, which starred Morgan Freeman.
- Patterson is a former chairman of the board of the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson.
- He currently serves on the board of the American Booksellers Association and the National Literacy Trust.
- Patterson is married to Susan Patterson, and the couple has one son, Jack.
- He is a former New York Times reporter.
- Patterson is an avid reader and cites Dashiell Hammett, Ernest Hemingway, and John Steinbeck as some of his favorite authors.
- In 2017, Patterson was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
- Patterson has a net worth estimated at $800 million, making him one of the wealthiest authors in the world.
James Patterson is a prolific and successful author whose work has captured the imaginations of readers all over the world. With a career spanning several decades, Patterson has written books that appeal to readers of all ages and genres. His commitment to promoting literacy and supporting education has made him a beloved figure in the literary community, and his generosity has touched countless lives. James Patterson’s impact on the world of literature is undeniable, and his work will continue to inspire and entertain readers for generations to come.
