History of Lee Child in Timeline

Lee Child, born James Dover Grant, is a British author renowned for his Jack Reacher thriller series. His novels center on Jack Reacher, an ex-military policeman drifting across the United States. Child's debut novel, Killing Floor (1997), garnered him the Anthony Award and the Barry Award for Best First Novel, establishing his success in the thriller genre.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

October 1954: Birth of James Dover Grant

In October 1954, James Dover Grant, who is known by his pen name Lee Child, was born. He is a British author known for his thriller novels, especially the Jack Reacher series.

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1974: Studied law at University of Sheffield

In 1974, at the age of 20, James Dover Grant, known as Lee Child, began studying law at the University of Sheffield, even though he did not intend to pursue a legal career. He also worked backstage in a theatre during his student days.

1975: Marriage to Jane

In 1975, James Dover Grant, who is known as Lee Child, married his wife Jane.

1977: Received LLB degree

In 1977, James Dover Grant, who is known as Lee Child, received a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Sheffield.

1977: Joined Granada Television

In 1977, Lee Child joined Granada Television in Manchester as a presentation director. He became involved with shows including Brideshead Revisited, The Jewel in the Crown, Prime Suspect, and Cracker.

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1995: End of career at Granada Television

In 1995, Lee Child ended his career at Granada Television after working there from 1977. His last two years were spent as a trade union shop steward.

1997: Publication of Killing Floor

In 1997, Lee Child's first novel, "Killing Floor", was published after he lost his job due to corporate restructuring.

1998: Awards for Killing Floor

In 1998, "Killing Floor" won both the Anthony Award and the Barry Award for Best First Novel. This recognition was a significant early achievement in Lee Child's writing career.

1998: Moved to New York state

In 1998, James Dover Grant, known as Lee Child, and his wife Jane, moved to New York state at the beginning of his writing career.

September 2007: The Chopin Manuscript broadcast on Audible.com

Starting on 25 September 2007, Lee Child collaborated with 14 other writers to create The Chopin Manuscript, a 17-part serial thriller narrated by Alfred Molina which was broadcast weekly on Audible.com.

November 2007: End of The Chopin Manuscript broadcast

On 13 November 2007, the 17-part serial thriller The Chopin Manuscript, a collaboration between Lee Child and 14 other writers, concluded its weekly broadcast on Audible.com.

November 2008: Visiting professor at the University of Sheffield

From November 2008, Lee Child worked as a visiting professor at the University of Sheffield.

2009: Funded Jack Reacher scholarships

In 2009, Lee Child funded 52 Jack Reacher scholarships for students at the University of Sheffield.

2009: Received honorary Doctor of Letters

In 2009, Lee Child returned to the University of Sheffield to receive an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree.

2009: Elected president of the Mystery Writers of America

In 2009, Lee Child was elected president of the Mystery Writers of America.

January 2012: Donation to Brecon Mountain Rescue Team

In January 2012, Lee Child donated £10,000 for a new vehicle for the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team in Wales.

2012: Interview on the commercial nature of Jack Reacher novels

In a 2012 interview, Lee Child discussed how many aspects of the Jack Reacher novels were designed to maintain profitability. He explained that Reacher's French parentage was intended to increase the series' appeal in France.

2013: Rejection of marijuana claims

In 2013, Lee Child rejected claims that he wrote while under the influence of marijuana, claims that were initially reported in the Daily Mail.

2018: Programming Chair for Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival

In 2018, Lee Child was the Programming Chair for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which is part of the Harrogate International Festivals portfolio.

2019: Collaboration on Jack Reacher music album

In 2019, Lee Child collaborated with musicians Jennifer and Scott Smith of Naked Blue on an album of music exploring Jack Reacher, in song. He contributed vocals to the track "Reacher Said Nothing."

2019: Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire

In 2019, Lee Child was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to literature.

2019: Announcement of Lee Child: True Crime TV show

In 2019, it was announced that Lee Child would curate a new TV show called Lee Child: True Crime, which will dramatize real-life crime stories.

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January 2020: Announcement of retirement from Jack Reacher series

In January 2020, Lee Child announced that he would retire from writing the Jack Reacher series and hand it to his brother Andrew Grant, who would write further books of the series under the surname Child.