Thomas Harris, author of three national bestsellers, was born in Jackson, Tennessee, but moved to Rich, Mississippi, with his parents, William and Polly, early in his life. He attended Clarksdale High School. He spent most of his time reading and writing, and Hemmingway was a favorite writer.
After college Harris moved to New York and held a job as editor for the Associated Press in New York. His experiences as a crime reporter gave him information he used in his later writings. His first book, Black Sunday, is about Arab terrorist and a Vietnam veteran who try to bomb the Super Bowl. His second book was Red Dragon.
The third novel written by Harris is considered a masterpiece of suspense by many people. The Silence of the Lambs was published in 1988 and includes madmen and a strong-willed female. The film made from the book won five Academy Awards.
Harris has homes in Rich, Mississippi; Long Island, New York; and Miami, Florida.