Salman Rushdie

Profession: Novelist

Nationality:

Biography: The Indian-born British writer is known for his allegorical works on historical subjects often set on the Indian subcontinent.

Rushdie published his first novel in 1975 but really came to international notice with his 1981 novel "Midnight's Children", which won the Booker Literary Prize.

The writer's fourth novel "The Satanic Verses" (1988) is his most controversial, for what was seen across the Islamic world as an irreverent depiction of the prophet Muhammad. Iran's Ayatollah Khomein pronounced a fatwa against Rushdie and a bounty was offered for his execution. As a result the author was placed under police protection for a number of years.

Rushdie continued to publish well-received short stories and novels including "Shalimar the Clown" in 2005 and "Quichotte" in 2019 which was nominated for the Booker Prize.

In 2007 Rushdie was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

Born: June 19, 1947
Birthplace: Mumbai, India
Age: 77 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Gemini