James Herbert

Author:
James Herbert

Date of birth: 08-Apr-1943
Place of birth: London, England UK

About the author:
James Herbert (1943–2013) was a bestselling British author known for his chilling and often graphic horror novels. Born on April 8, 1943, in London, England, Herbert grew up in a working-class family in the East End. He studied at Hornsey College of Art and began his career as an art director at a London advertising agency before turning to fiction.

Herbert burst onto the literary scene in 1974 with his debut novel, The Rats, a terrifying tale about a mutant rat infestation in London. The book became an instant bestseller, launching his career as one of Britain’s most popular horror writers. He followed it with a series of equally intense novels, including The Fog, The Survivor, and The Dark—each known for their visceral horror, apocalyptic tone, and fast-paced storytelling.

Over the years, Herbert’s work evolved to include more psychological and supernatural themes, as seen in books like Haunted, The Secret of Crickley Hall, and The Magic Cottage. He also tackled dystopian and political subjects in novels such as ’48 and Ash.

Known for pushing boundaries, Herbert’s books were often controversial due to their graphic content, but they gained a large and loyal readership. His writing style—gritty, cinematic, and emotionally intense—earned comparisons to Stephen King, though Herbert remained distinct in his more brutal, often British settings and themes.

James Herbert wrote over 20 novels, selling more than 50 million copies worldwide, translated into over 30 languages. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2010 for services to literature.

He passed away on March 20, 2013, at the age of 69, leaving behind a powerful legacy as one of the most influential horror writers of his generation.