Sharon Kay Penman

Sharon Kay Penman was an American historical novelist who was born in New York City in 1945. She received her bachelor's degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin and her Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers University School of Law. She worked as a tax lawyer before becoming a full-time writer.

Penman's novels are known for their meticulous research and their accurate portrayal of historical events and figures. She is best known for her series of novels about the Plantagenet kings of England, including "The Sunne in Splendour," "Lionheart," and "The King's Ransom."

Penman was a New York Times bestselling author and won numerous awards for her work, including the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Agatha Award. She died in 2021 at the age of 75.