Diana Gabaldon

Author

Diana Gabaldon is an American author renowned for her best-selling Outlander series, a remarkable fusion of historical fiction, romance, mystery, adventure, and science fiction. Born in 1952, Gabaldon initially pursued a career in science and academia. She earned a Ph.D. in Behavioral Ecology and worked as a professor at Arizona State University, specializing in scientific computation. Her unexpected journey into writing began in the late 1980s when she decided to write a novel purely for practice, drawing inspiration from her background in scientific research and her fascination with historical settings.

Gabaldon’s debut novel, Outlander, was released in 1991 and quickly garnered critical acclaim. The book introduces readers to Claire Randall, a World War II nurse who time-travels to 18th-century Scotland and meets the dashing Highland warrior James Fraser. This novel set the stage for a sprawling series that now includes nine published novels, with the latest installment, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, released in November 2021. Gabaldon’s innovative blending of genres and intricate historical detail has earned her a devoted global following, with her books translated into thirty-eight languages and sold in over one hundred fourteen countries.

The Outlander series was adapted into a highly successful television show, premiering on Starz in 2014. Gabaldon plays a key role in the adaptation, serving as a co-producer, advisor, and scriptwriter, and even made a cameo appearance in the show’s first season. Her involvement in the TV series has further expanded her reach and influence in the realm of popular culture.

In addition to the Outlander novels, Gabaldon has written The Exile, a graphic novel set in the Outlander universe, and the Lord John series, which explores the backstory of a secondary character from her main series. As of 2021, Gabaldon is working on the tenth book in the Outlander series, which may conclude the epic saga, solidifying her legacy as a master storyteller of historical and speculative fiction.