About
An author known for his Castaways of the Flying Dutchman trilogy and his Redwall series, he also penned several collections of short stories, including Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales (1991) and The Ribbajack & Other Curious Yarns (2004).
Before Fame
At ten years of age, he wrote a story about a bird that cleans a crocodile's teeth and was punished by his teacher, who thought he must have plagiarized the tale. Many years later (in 1986), he published the first book in his popular Redwall series.
Trivia
He left school at age fifteen to sign up for the merchant marine, and his subsequent experiences inspired some of his literary work.
Family Life
He was born in Liverpool, England to James Jacques and Ellen Ryan. With his wife, Maureen, he had two sons: David and Marc.
Associated With
Edgar Rice Burroughs was one of his literary influences.
