John Grisham

A victim's testimony first inspired attorney and state representative John Grisham to write his first novel. It would launch his career as one of the best-known legal thriller writers of his generation. Indeed, he would dominate the genre.

His qualifications to do so are immense. Grisham earned a law degree from the University of Mississippi and practiced criminal and civil law. He served seven years in the Mississippi House of Representatives, eventually resigning to focus on his writing.

His first six novels were all made into major motion pictures. Although he is best known for his legal thrillers, Grisham has frequently wandered outside of the genre. He has written family and sports comedies and is the publisher of The Oxford American.

Grisham's childhood dream was to become a baseball player, a passion he has continued to pursue despite never becoming a pro. He is a local Little League Commissioner and has six baseball diamonds on his property.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

--B. Redman