Iain Banks

Author:
Iain Banks

Date of birth: 16-Feb-1954
Place of birth: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland UK

About the author:
Iain Banks (1954–2013) was a celebrated Scottish author, known for his bold storytelling, dark humour, and inventive narratives. Born on February 16, 1954, in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, Banks studied English and philosophy at the University of Stirling before pursuing writing full-time.

He rose to literary fame with his debut novel, The Wasp Factory (1984), a controversial and critically acclaimed work that introduced readers to his distinctive voice and flair for exploring psychological and moral complexity. The novel gained a cult following and established Banks as a provocative and original new voice in contemporary fiction.

Banks published his literary fiction under the name Iain Banks, and his science fiction novels under Iain M. Banks, adding the middle initial to distinguish between the two genres. As Iain Banks, he wrote novels such as The Crow Road, Complicity, and Whit, which often combined dark comedy, family drama, and social commentary.

As Iain M. Banks, he created the highly influential Culture series—a set of science fiction novels set in a utopian, post-scarcity society governed by advanced artificial intelligences. Beginning with Consider Phlebas (1987), the series explored themes of power, morality, and the limits of technology. It became one of the most respected bodies of work in modern science fiction.

Banks was known for his political views, including strong criticism of war and support for Scottish independence. In 2013, he announced that he had terminal gallbladder cancer. He passed away on June 9, 2013, at the age of 59.

Iain Banks left behind a powerful legacy of literary and speculative fiction that continues to inspire readers and writers alike for its imagination, intelligence, and emotional depth.