Timothy Zahn

Author:
Timothy Zahn

Date of birth: 1st September 1951
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois USA

About the author:
Timothy Zahn (born September 1, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, USA) is an acclaimed American science fiction author, best known for his work in the Star Wars expanded universe, where he created one of the franchise’s most enduring characters, Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Early Life and Education
Zahn studied physics at Michigan State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1973, and went on to complete a master’s degree in physics at the University of Illinois in 1975. While originally pursuing a PhD, his academic path shifted after health issues encouraged him to focus more heavily on writing—a passion he had nurtured since his student years.

Career and Breakthrough
Zahn began publishing short stories in the late 1970s and quickly established himself in the science fiction community. In 1984, he won the Hugo Award for his novella Cascade Point, cementing his reputation as a rising star of the genre.

His true breakthrough came in 1991, when Lucasfilm asked him to write a series of Star Wars novels to help relaunch the franchise’s literary universe. The result was the Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command), which became instant bestsellers. These books not only revitalized interest in Star Wars during the years before the prequel films but also introduced fan-favourite characters such as Grand Admiral Thrawn, Mara Jade, and Talon Karrde.

Zahn went on to write several other Star Wars novels, including Specter of the Past, Vision of the Future, and the Hand of Thrawn duology. More recently, he has returned to the franchise under Disney and Lucasfilm, penning a new trilogy centred on Thrawn that ties directly into current canon and the Star Wars: Rebels television series.

Beyond Star Wars
Although best known for his contributions to the Star Wars universe, Zahn has also written a wide range of original science fiction. His works include the Cobra series, exploring the ethics of cybernetic enhancement in warfare, and the Conquerors trilogy, which examines misunderstandings and diplomacy between alien civilisations. His writing is often praised for its intricate plotting, fast pacing, and clever use of science and strategy.

Personal Life and Legacy
Zahn lives in Oregon with his family and continues to write both original fiction and Star Wars novels. Widely regarded as one of the most important figures in shaping the Star Wars Expanded Universe, he is credited with keeping the franchise alive during its quieter years and for creating characters and storylines that remain central to its legacy.

Books that we've read by Timothy Zahn (3):
Heir to the Empire (The Thrawn Trilogy, #1) (1991), Dark Force Rising (The Thrawn Trilogy #2) (1992), The Last Command (The Thrawn Trilogy #3) (1993).