By surname

Wilbur Smith

Hailed by Stephen King as the “best historical novelist” Wilbur Smith, was born of British stock on January 9, 1933 in Kabwe, Zambia (what was then Northern Rhodesia). Best known for his intriguing stories set in Africa during the 16th and 17th century eras, Wilbur takes his reader on a historical ride of fiction revolving around the influence of the English and Dutch in Southern Africa. He grew up there on his parent’s 25,000-acre ranch. He is the bestselling author of 32 novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books are now translated into twenty-six languages and have sold over eighty million copies.

As an infant of eighteen months, Smith was struck with an episode of cerebral malaria. Although the doctors thought it was better if he died and did not give any hope of a normal life for Smith after the disease, Smith, however, survived it and surely did not grow up to lead a normal life.

Wilbur Smith was primarily educated at a boarding school, Cordwalles Preparatory School in Natal and also at Michaelhouse, located on the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains. At Michaelhouse, Wilbur wrote most of the content of a school newspaper he had started.

Moving on to obtaining a higher education, Wilbur enrolled at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa becoming a journalist upon graduation. He wrote excessively about the social issues and conditions in South Africa. However, his father who had never been supportive of Wilbur’s writing, though reading was a waste of time, insisted him to get a real job. He studied further to become a Chartered Accountant.

He has gone on to write 32 novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books are now translated into twenty-six languages and have sold over 122 million copies.

Wilbur married Mokhiniso Rakhimova in 2000, whom he met in a bookstore in London, and says with Mokhiniso by his side, ‘the very best days are yet to come.’