Happy birthday, George R.R. Martin! The author turns 68 today.
Born in 1948, George was raised in New Jersey by his parents Raymon and Margaret. The boy grew up with two sister and discovered his love for literature early. At a young age, George began writing and selling fantastical stories to neighborhood children that featured a mythical kingdom filled with turtles.
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George would take his interest in writing and develop it into adulthood. The author earned a degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and involved himself with the blossoming comic book fandoms up north.
Before George published his best-selling novels, he acted as an English professor. He then turned to professional writing and gained a reputation for creating complex fantasy-horror stories.
George published multiple projects before he delved into A Song of Ice and Fire in 1991. The series currently houses seven volumes, the first of which was published in the late 1990s. The fourth installment became a New York Times Best-Seller and ushered in a new era of popularity for George. The series has been nominated for all sorts of accolades like the Hugo Award, World Fantasy Award, and more.
A Song of Ice and Fire went on to gain international appeal after HBO purchased television rights for the series. The show recently finished its sixth season, and Game of Thrones is one of the most popular cable programs of all time. The series has earned the most Emmy Awards of any program in history.
Happy birthday!