Simon Garfield

Born in 1962 in Lancashire, England, Simon Garfield is a bestselling author of books that explore a wide range of topics, such as language, topography and typography, and subcultures. His books provide insight into the subject matters with an entertaining and engaging style that often combines research and personal insights, providing a valuable and enjoyable read for a wide audience.

Garfield began writing his first book, The Bogeyman, in 1989 when he was working as an arts journalist for The Guardian newspaper. Published in 1993, the book is a humorous look at a range of aspects of golf and its complex rules and culture. He again combined research and personal experiences to analyze the subculture of train travelers in his second book, Mauve: How One Man Invented a Color That Changed the World (2000), which tells the story of the discovery of the vibrant colour by William Henry Perkins. His following books have explored a range of topics, including the power and importance of maps in On the Map: A Mind-Expanding Exploration of the Way the World Looks (2012), the evocative linguistics of Seldom Seen: The Forgotten Art of Being Seen (2020), and the unexpected roots of the English language in Just My Type: A Book About Fonts (2010).

Garfield’s is a master of investigation and research, making use of his skills as a journalist to unravel compelling stories. For example, in his book Expensive Habits: The Dark Side of the Industry (2016), he delved deep into the lives of some of the world’s most fashionable brands and the often unexpected or overlooked corners of the luxury industry. Similarly, his book The Wrestling (2005) examined the history and culture of wrestling, taking readers around the world to examine the global appeal of the sport.

Garfield’s books have sold more than a million copies and have been translated into 26 languages. He has been recognized by several writing awards, including the American Library Association Honor, the Society of Authors ‘Beazley Award’, and a New York Times Book Review Notable book of the year.

In addition to his books, Garfield frequently contributes articles and has presented documentaries on a range of topics. He is a Britain’s youngest ever general editor of The Times magazine, a post he held for four years until 2012. He is also an ambassador for the charity Royal Parks in London and has served as a patron for the National Autistic Society for over a decade.

Garfield is renowned for his ability to captivate and inform readers with his books. By exploring issues from the familiar to the unknown, his books provide entertaining and insightful accounts of topics ranging from language and art to travel and sport. With his imagination and skillful approach, Garfield delves deep and uncovers fascinating stories about the world we live in, bridging the gap between popular culture and academia.