Bernard Cornwell

Bernard Cornwell
Bernard Cornwell
Photograph:  Kelly Campbell

Born in Essex in 1944 Bernard Cornwell was adopted at the age of six weeks by two members of a strict fundamentalist sect called the Peculiar People. He grew up in a household that forbade alcohol, cigarettes, dances, television, conventional medicine and toy guns. Not surprisingly, he developed a fascination for military adventure. As a teenager he devoured CS Forester's Hornblower novels and tried to enlist three times. Poor eyesight put paid to his dream, instead he went to university to read theology. On graduating, he became a teacher, then joined BBC's Nationwide, working his way up the ladder to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland, then editor of Thames News. In 1979, his life changed when he fell in love with an American.

"Judy couldn't live here, so I gave up my job and moved to the US. I couldn't get a green card, and for 18 months the only thing I could do was write novels." The result was his first book about 19th century hero, Richard Sharpe, Sharpe's Eagle.

Today he has 20 Sharpe adventures behind him, plus a series about the American Civil War, the Starbuck novels; an enormously successful trilogy about King Arthur, The Warlord Chronicles; the Hundred Years War set Grail Quest series; and his current series about King Alfred.

Bernard Cornwell owns houses in Cape Cod and Florida and two boats. Every year he takes two months off from his writing and spends most of his time on his 24 foot Cornish crabber, Royalist.

Titles by this author



Untitled Bernard CornwellUntitled Bernard CornwellUntitled Bernard CornwellUntitled Bernard CornwellSharpe’s HonourSharpe’s RegimentSharpe’s SiegeSharpe’s RevengeSharpe’s WaterlooSharpe’s DevilDeath of KingsHarlequinSharpe’s Revenge, Sharpe’s Waterloo, Sharpe’s DevilSharpe’s Honour, Sharpe’s Regiment, Sharpe’s SiegeGallows ThiefSharpe’s GoldSharpe’s EscapeSharpe’s FurySharpe’s BattleSharpe’s CompanySharpe’s SwordSharpe’s EnemySharpe’s Company, Sharpe’s Sword, Sharpe’s EnemySharpe’s ChristmasSharpe’s Escape, Sharpe’s Fury, Sharpe’s BattleSharpe’s Tiger, Sharpe’s Triumph, Sharpe’s FortressSharpe’s Havoc, Sharpe’s Eagle, Sharpe’s GoldSharpe’s Trafalgar, Sharpe’s Prey, Sharpe’s RiflesDeath of KingsDeath of KingsDeath of KingsDeath of KingsSharpe’s HavocSharpe’s TigerSharpe’s TriumphSharpe’s TrafalgarSharpe’s PreySharpe’s RiflesSharpe’s EagleSharpe’s FortressThe FortThe Grail Quest OmnibusSharpe’s SiegeStonehengeSword SongThe Fort (Enhanced Edition)The FortThe FortThe FortSharpe’s FortressGallows ThiefSharpe’s BattleThe Burning LandSword SongThe Last KingdomThe Lords of the NorthThe Pale HorsemanSharpe’s TigerSharpe’s DevilExcaliburExcaliburExcaliburThe Warlord TrilogyThe Winter KingThe Winter KingThe Winter KingEnemy of GodEnemy of GodEnemy of GodSharpe’s EnemySharpe’s SwordThe Burning LandThe Burning LandThe Burning LandSharpe’s DevilSharpe’s FortressSharpe’s CompanySharpe’s GoldSharpe’s EagleSharpe’s HonourSharpe’s WaterlooSharpe’s RegimentSharpe’s RevengeSharpe’s RiflesSharpe’s EscapeSharpe’s FurySharpe’s HavocSharpe’s PreySharpe’s TrafalgarSharpe’s TriumphHarlequinVagabondThe Last KingdomThe Pale HorsemanHereticRebelCopperheadBattle FlagThe Bloody GroundSharpe’s BattleSharpe’s PreyAzincourtAzincourtHarlequinVagabondHereticSharpe’s TriumphSharpe’s TrafalgarSharpe’s TigerAzincourtSharpe’s SwordAzincourtAzincourtAzincourtA Crowning MercyFallen AngelsThe Lords of the NorthSharpe’s GoldSharpe’s EagleSword SongSharpe’s FurySharpe’s HavocSharpe’s EscapeSharpe’s GoldSharpe’s SwordSharpe’s BattleSharpe’s TigerSharpe’s DevilSharpe’s TriumphSharpe’s FortressSharpe’s TrafalgarSharpe’s PreyVagabondHereticRebelCopperheadThe Bloody GroundBattle FlagThe Last KingdomStonehengeThe Pale HorsemanThe Lords of the NorthSword SongSword SongSword SongSharpe’s FurySharpe’s FortressSharpe’s FurySharpe’s FurySharpe’s FuryThe Lords of the NorthSharpe’s TrafalgarSharpe’s DevilThe Lords of the NorthThe Lords of the NorthThe Pale HorsemanSharpe’s HavocSharpe’s EscapeThe Last KingdomVagabondHereticThe Pale HorsemanSharpe’s PreySharpe’s GoldSharpe’s SwordSharpe’s BattleRebelCopperheadBattle FlagThe Bloody GroundSharpe’s TigerSharpe’s DevilSharpe’s TriumphSharpe’s FortressStonehengeSharpe’s TrafalgarThe Pale HorsemanSharpe’s EscapeSharpe’s HavocSharpe’s GoldSharpe’s SwordSharpe’s BattleSharpe’s TigerSharpe’s DevilSharpe’s TriumphSharpe’s FortressSharpe’s TrafalgarSharpe’s PreyThe Last KingdomVagabondHereticRebelCopperheadThe Bloody GroundBattle FlagStonehengeSharpe’s SiegeSharpe’s RevengeSharpe’s WaterlooFallen AngelsSharpe’s EscapeSharpe’s EnemySharpe’s HonourSharpe’s RegimentThe Last KingdomSharpe’s HavocSharpe’s EscapeSharpe’s GoldSharpe’s BattleSharpe’s EagleA Crowning MercyGallows ThiefSharpe’s PreyStonehengeSharpe’s TigerThe Bloody GroundBattle FlagCopperheadRebel