Dan Brown ​

Daniel Gerhard "Dan" Brown is an American author known for his thrillers that incorporate themes of cryptography, secret societies, and conspiracy theories. He is best known for his Robert Langdon series, which includes the books "Angels & Demons", "The Da Vinci Code", and "Inferno". His novels have been international bestsellers and have been adapted into films.

Quick Facts ​

• Known for his thriller novels, most notably the Robert Langdon stories such as Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and Inferno.
• Books have been translated into 57 languages.
• Worldwide, his books have sold 200 million copies.
• His novels have been adapted into films and were worldwide blockbusters.
• Introduced a genre of religious conspiracy thrillers.

Background ​

Brown was born in 1964 in Exeter, New Hampshire, and was raised in a family where math and music were valued highly. He went on to graduate from Philips Exeter Academy and then attended Amherst College, where he studied Spanish and English before going on to join the Art History Program in Seville, Spain. After college, he briefly pursued a career in music, releasing two albums. He then moved on to teaching English at Phillips Exeter.

The idea for his debut novel, Digital Fortress, came to him while he was teaching at Phillips. He was inspired by the intersection of technology and privacy, and used this as a basis for his thriller. He then wrote Angels & Demons and Deception Point, but it was The Da Vinci Code, published in 2003, that catapulted Brown into the global spotlight. The book spent more than a year at the top of The New York Times Best Seller List, and has been translated into 44 languages. It was also adapted into a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks. Since then, Brown has written several more books featuring the character Robert Langdon, including Inferno and Origin.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Brown's writing style is fast-paced and highly detailed. Known for his meticulous research, he often builds his plots around historical events and cryptic codes, keeping his readers on the edge of their seats. His work has been praised for making complex academic subjects accessible to mainstream audiences. Despite criticism for his prose style, his books have been wildly successful, significantly influencing the thriller genre. He notably brought renewed interest in Leonardo da Vinci's works and religious symbology.

Notable Works ​

• Angels & Demons (2000)
• The Da Vinci Code (2003)
• The Lost Symbol (2009)
• Inferno (2013)
• Origin (2017)