Wilbur Smith (1933 – )

He has written over 35 novels that have sold more than 120 million copies. Born in Northern Rhodesia, Smith grew up in colonial Africa with his father who owned a large cattle ranch. He attended University in South Africa, graduating from Rhodes University in 1954. His first published novel, When the Lion Feeds, which was published in London by William Heinemann in 1964, and was banned in South Africa.