William Terrence Deary, best known by his pen name Terry Deary, is the best-selling author of the Horrible Histories series. He has published over 200 books, which have sold over 25 million copies in 40 languages and spawned a successful Horrible Histories TV series. Having previously worked as an actor and a drama teacher, he began writing in 1976, making it his full time career in 1994. In 2011 he retired from writing after a 35 year career. He is married with one daughter, and lives in County Durham.