Picture an American scholar who weaves history, magic, and romance into spellbinding tales—meet Deborah Harkness! Born in 1965, this historian-turned-novelist has captivated millions with her All Souls series, blending her academic expertise with imaginative storytelling. From dusty libraries to bestselling bookshelves, Harkness’s journey is as enchanting as the worlds she creates.
The Making of Deborah Harkness
Born near Philadelphia to an American father and British mother, Deborah Harkness grew up with a love for stories and history. She earned a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, an M.A. from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. from UC Davis, focusing on the history of science and magic in early modern Europe. Her time studying at Oxford’s Bodleian Library sparked a lifelong passion for research, which later fueled her fiction. As a professor at the University of Southern California, she teaches European history, but it was a midlife curiosity—'What do vampires do for a living?'—that launched her into novel-writing.
Deborah Harkness’s Unforgettable Stories
Harkness’s debut novel, A Discovery of Witches (2011), kicked off the All Souls trilogy, a historical fantasy saga that follows witch-historian Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont. The book, which debuted at number two on The New York Times bestseller list, blends alchemy, time travel, and forbidden love, earning praise as 'a sophisticated fairy tale for adults.' Its sequels, Shadow of Night (2012) and The Book of Life (2014), both hit number one, taking readers from Elizabethan London to modern-day Oxford. Her 2018 prequel-sequel, Time’s Convert, explores vampire Marcus Whitmore’s origins, while The Black Bird Oracle (2024) continues Diana’s magical journey. Harkness’s style is rich with historical detail, weaving real figures like John Dee into her lush, romantic narratives.
Beyond fiction, Harkness penned two acclaimed nonfiction works: John Dee’s Conversations with Angels (1999), exploring Renaissance magic, and The Jewel House (2007), a deep dive into Elizabethan London’s scientific revolution. Her wine blog, Good Wine Under $20, showcases her knack for making niche topics accessible, earning nods from Food & Wine magazine. As an executive producer for the A Discovery of Witches TV series (2018–2022), she brought her vision to the screen, delighting fans across 38 countries.
Why Deborah Harkness Matters
Deborah Harkness has redefined historical fantasy by grounding magical worlds in meticulous research, making the past feel alive and urgent. Her All Souls series, translated into 38 languages, has inspired a global fandom, with readers drawn to her strong female leads and genre-blending storytelling. As a scholar, she’s earned Guggenheim and Fulbright fellowships, while her fiction bridges academia and pop culture, proving history can be thrilling. Harkness’s work invites us to see the magic in everyday life, whether through a manuscript or a glass of wine.
- Born: 1965, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Key Works: A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, The Book of Life, The Black Bird Oracle
- Awards: Pfizer Award (2008), Guggenheim Fellowship (2004)
- Fun Fact: She’s an award-winning wine blogger!
Snag A Discovery of Witches and dive into Deborah Harkness’s magical blend of history and fantasy!