Thomas Harris is an American writer, best known for his series of suspense novels featuring the iconic character, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. He began his career as a crime reporter for the Associated Press before publishing his debut novel, Black Sunday, in 1975. His 1988 novel, The Silence of the Lambs, became a cultural phenomenon and was adapted into a critically acclaimed film that swept the major Academy Awards. Despite his worldwide success and the lasting impact of his creations, Harris is famously reclusive and rarely makes public appearances or gives interviews.