James Patterson
Keynote Speaker
Biography
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has published more than 250 novels, over 100 of which have reached number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Patterson has also coauthored number-one bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, Michael Crichton, and Viola Davis, as well as collaborated on number-one bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich.
His works span an impressive range of genres and audiences, including the young-adult science fantasy series Maximum Ride and the Women’s Murder Club, a mystery series featuring four female protagonists that has been adapted for TV and several games. Patterson is also known for his Middle School series, geared towards children ages eight to 11. He told the story of his own life in the number-one bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson.
Patterson is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal. He is also a fierce advocate for education. Along with his wife Susan, a UW–Madison alumna, he has donated more than $250 million to literacy-focused programs and endowed some 5,000 college scholarships for teachers. The Pattersons provide scholarship support for more than 150 UW–Madison students each year.