Pratchett, Terry (1948- )

English writer. He is best known for his fantasy novels, especially his satirical Discworld series, in which the flat, circular world is carried by four elephants riding an enormous turtle.

Other series include the Bromeliad (1988-90) and Johnny Maxwell (1992-96) trilogies.

Pratchett was born in Beaconsfield, in Buckinghamshire, England. He worked as a journalist and press officer before turning to writing full time in 1987. His first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971, and The Colour of Magic, his first Discworld novel, in 1983. His children's Discworld novel The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents won the 2001 Carnegie Medal for best children's novel (2002).