Philip Pullman author page

Philip Pullman biography

Philip Pullman is a British author renowned for his contributions to children’s and young adult literature, particularly through his fantasy works. Born on October 19, 1946, in Norwich, England, he spent parts of his childhood in Zimbabwe and Australia before settling in Wales. Pullman studied English at Exeter College, Oxford, graduating in 1968. He later taught middle school English and part-time at Westminster College, Oxford, while beginning his writing career.

Pullman’s early publications include The Haunted Storm (1972) and Galatea (1976), both aimed at adult readers. He transitioned to children’s literature with Count Karlstein (1982) and gained recognition with the Sally Lockhart series, starting with The Ruby in the Smoke (1985). His most acclaimed work, the His Dark Materials trilogy—comprising Northern Lights (1995; published as The Golden Compass in North America), The Subtle Knife (1997), and The Amber Spyglass (2000)—explores complex themes through the adventures of young protagonists in parallel universes. The Amber Spyglass was the first children’s book to win the Whitbread Book of the Year Award in 2001.

In 2017, Pullman began a companion trilogy, The Book of Dust, with La Belle Sauvage, followed by The Secret Commonwealth in 2019. The final installment, The Rose Field, is scheduled for publication on October 23, 2025. Pullman’s works have been adapted into various media, including a BBC/HBO television series that aired from 2019 to 2022.

Throughout his career, Pullman has received numerous accolades, including the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2005. He was knighted in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to literature.