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Terry Pratchett

テリー・プラチェット

Terry Pratchett

Aliases: Sir Terence David John Pratchett / Terence Pratchett
Pen Names: Patrick Kearns（Pseudonym used for some regional newspaper pieces and early short fiction）, Uncle Jim（Name used for children's stories and contributions to school/children's pages）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1948-04-28 （Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England）
Died
2015-03-12 （Broad Chalke, Wiltshire, England） age 66
Nationality
British
Languages
English
Religion
Church of England (raised)
Residence History
Beaconsfield (birthplace) → Rowberrow, Somerset → Broad Chalke, Wiltshire

Career

Occupations
novelist, humorist, satirist, screenwriter
Active Years
1962-2015
Influenced By
P. G. Wodehouse, H. G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Kenneth Grahame (The Wind in the Willows)
Influenced
Many contemporary fantasy and YA authors, His daughter Rhianna Pratchett (influenced by and continued aspects of his work)

Education

High Wycombe Technical High School
A-levels in English, Art and History
Period: 1958–1965
Year of Graduation: 1965
Country: England
Published short stories in the school magazine; credited much of his education to the public library rather than formal higher education.

Awards

Knight Bachelor
2009
Organization: UK Honours (New Year Honours)
Result: 受勲
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
1998
Organization: UK Honours
Result: 受勲
Carnegie Medal
2001
Work: The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
Category: 児童文学
Organization: CILIP (British librarians)
Result: 受賞
World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement
2010
Organization: World Fantasy Convention
Result: 受賞
Margaret A. Edwards Award
2011
Work: Multiple Discworld novels (YA)
Category: 功労賞（YA文学への貢献）
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Carpet People

1971 Children's literature / Fantasy 192 pages

An early children's fantasy about tiny people living in a carpet; later substantially revised and reissued.

adventurecommunityimagination
Translations
  • The Carpet People

The Colour of Magic

1983 Comic fantasy 192 pages

The first Discworld novel, introducing the flat world and combining parody with satirical fantasy adventure.

parodypower and chaosadventure
Translations
  • Discworld: The Colour of Magic

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

2001 Children's literature / Fantasy 240 pages

A Discworld novel aimed at younger readers about clever rats and Maurice, a cat who runs a scam as 'professional' pest controllers.

morality and deceptioncommunitywit
Adaptations
  • [Animated film] The Amazing Maurice / Toby Genkel & Florian Westermann (2022)
Translations
  • The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

The Wee Free Men

2003 Young adult / Fantasy 288 pages

The first book in the Tiffany Aching series, a YA fantasy blending humor and bravery with a young heroine.

coming of ageresponsibilitytradition vs change
Translations
  • The Wee Free Men

The Shepherd's Crown

2015 Fantasy 336 pages

The final Discworld novel, published posthumously, centering on Tiffany Aching and closing elements of the series.

loss and legacygrowthwitchcraft
Translations
  • The Shepherd's Crown

Good Omens (with Neil Gaiman)

1990 Apocalyptic comedy / Fantasy 288 pages

A humorous novel about an angel and a demon dealing with the apocalypse, co-written with Neil Gaiman; later adapted for television.

religion and moralityfate and choicehumor
Adaptations
  • [TV series] Good Omens / Douglas Mackinnon (2019)
Translations
  • Good Omens

Bibliography

  • The Carpet People (1971)
  • The Colour of Magic (1983)
  • The Amazing Maurice (2001)
  • The Wee Free Men (2003)
  • Good Omens (1990)
  • The Shepherd's Crown (2015)

Adaptations

  • Good Omens (TV series, 2019)
  • The Amazing Maurice (animated film, 2022)
  • Terry Pratchett: Living With Alzheimer's (BBC documentary, 2009)

Translations of Works

  • Discworld (various volumes)
  • Good Omens

Style & Themes

Literary Style
humorous and satirical toneclear, accessible prosedistinctive use of dialogue conventions (e.g., Death's utterances)
Recurring Motifs
Death as a character and personificationsatire of bureaucracy and institutionstension between technological innovation and tradition

Health

  • Posterior cortical atrophy (a form of early-onset Alzheimer's disease)
    2007–2015
    Affected his ability to write in later years; he dictated to his assistant and used speech-recognition. He donated to and advocated for Alzheimer's research.

Legacy

Best known for the Discworld series, he achieved worldwide popularity and influenced children's and YA literature. His legacy includes numerous honours, translations, academic study, fan conventions, and endowments and scholarships.

Academic Societies

  • Humanists UK (Distinguished Supporter)

Archives

  • Terry Pratchett Archive at Senate House Library, University of London

In Popular Culture

  • The 'X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett' HTTP header tribute circulated widely online
  • Tributes in video games, street art, stamps and commemorative plaques

Quotes

  • Fantasy isn't just about wizards and silly wands. It's about seeing the world from new directions.
    Source: Acceptance speech for the Carnegie Medal (2002)

Trivia

  • Knighted in 2009 and famously forged his own sword after receiving the honour.
  • Asteroid 127005 Pratchett named in his honour.
  • Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2007 and made a substantial donation to Alzheimer's research.