Colleen McCullough ​

Colleen Margaretta McCullough was an Australian author known for her best-selling 1977 novel, "The Thorn Birds." She wrote a number of fiction and non-fiction books spanning various genres, including historical, crime, and medical dramas.

Quick Facts ​

• Best known for her Masters of Rome series.
• Received a Doctor of Letters degree from Macquarie University in 1993.
• Wrote the internationally acclaimed novel, The Thorn Birds.
• Bisacodyl, a drug she developed while working as a neurophysiologist, is still being sold as of 2021.
• During her career, she sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

Background ​

McCullough was born in 1937 in Wellington, New South Wales, Australia. Her family relocated to Sydney where she studied neurophysiology at the University of Sydney. She earned a living in the early years as a teacher, librarian, and journalist. She broke into the realm of medical research, studying in the United States at Yale Medical School and later working in the Department of Neurology at the Yale Medical School. She debuted as a novelist in 1974 with Tim. However, it was her second novel The Thorn Birds, published in 1977 that shot her to international fame. McCullough also wrote the Masters of Rome series, a highly detailed fictional account of Rome during the time of Julius Caesar. She passed away in 2015.

Writing Style and Impact ​

McCullough's work is best known for its historical accuracy, rich detail, and vivid characterization. She was praised for her meticulous research and ability to portray the social and political contexts of her historical novels. Her work had a significant impact on the popular historical novel genre, particularly her novel "The Thorn Birds", which remains one of the best-selling books in history. Her themes often revolved around power, love, betrayals, and the human capacity for survival.

Notable Works ​

• The Thorn Birds (1977)
• An Indecent Obsession (1981)
• The Ladies of Missalonghi (1987)
• The First Man in Rome (1990)
• Caesar's Women (1996)
• The October Horse (2002)