Ken Follett was born on June 5, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales, the son of a tax inspector. He was educated at state schools and graduated from University College, London, with an honors degree in philosophy. (He was made a fellow of the college in 1995.)

Follett became a reporter, first with his hometown newspaper, the South Wales Echo, and later with the London Evening News. While with the Evening News, he published his first novel, which was not a best-seller. He then went to work for a small publishing house in London, Everest Books, eventually becoming deputy managing director while continuing to write novels in his spare time.

Follett first hit the best-seller lists in 1978 with Eye of the Needle, a taut and original thriller with a memorable woman character in the central role. It was his 11th book, and his first success. The book won the Edgar award and was made into an outstanding film starring Kate Nelligan and Donald Sutherland.