Michael Crichton was born in Chicago, in 1942. He was educated at Harvard College, graduating in 1965 with a degree in anthropology. Deciding to become a doctor, he attended Harvard Medical School and graduated with an MD in 1969. To pay his way through medical school, he wrote spy thrillers under another name. One of these books, A Case of Need, won the Edgar Award for the Best Mystery of the Year. His first novel under his own name was The Andromeda Strain, which was published in his last year of medical school. It became a best-seller and was made into a successful Hollywood movie.

Crichton decided not to pursue a career in medicine. In 1969-70 he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Science in La Jolla, California. After this he devoted himself full-time to writing. His ability to take the latest scientific and technological issues and make them material for fast-paced thrillers ensured his status as a regular best-selling author. His books include The Terminal Man, The Great Train Robbery, Eaters of the Dead, Congo, Sphere, Rising Sun, Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World, Disclosure, Airframe, Timeline and Prey: A Novel.

Crichton’s novels have been translated into twenty-four languages. He has also directed seven movies, including Westworld and Coma, any of his own books have been made into movies, including The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Rising Sun and Disclosure.

Crichton has also directed movies and written screenplays, including Twister, which he co-wrote with his wife. He is also the creator and executive producer of the popular television series ER. In addition to his novels, he has also written four books of nonfiction, including Five Patients, Jasper Johns, and his autobiography, Travels.