Alexander McCall Smith

Author of the critically acclaimed ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, Alexander McCall Smith is one of the most prolific and acclaimed British authors of our time. Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) and educated at the University of Edinburgh, he turned to penning novels after serving on British and international committees as an expert on medical law and bioethics. His most famous works follow the exploits of Mma Precious Ramotswe in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, which include other bestsellers such as ‘Tears of the Giraffe’ and ‘In the Company of Cheerful Ladies,’ as well as authoring ‘The Sunday Philosophy Club Series’ and the ‘44 Scotland Street Series.’ He was awarded the British Book Awards Author of the Year and Booksellers Association Author of the Year in 2004 and appointed a CBE in 2006 New Year’s Honours List for services to literature. He’s also plays bassoon in the Really Terrible Orchestra, Edinburgh.