Date of Birth: August 13, 1945
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: January 22, 2021
Biography
Sharon Kay Penman was an acclaimed American historical novelist known for her meticulously researched and vividly written books set in medieval England and Wales. Born in New York City, she grew up in New Jersey and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in history before earning a Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers University School of Law. Her passion for history and storytelling led her to shift from a legal career to writing full-time. Penman’s works include the Welsh trilogy, beginning with “Here Be Dragons,” and the Plantagenet series, which covers the tumultuous lives of English monarchs from Henry II to Richard III. She was particularly noted for her sympathetic portrayal of Richard III in “The Sunne in Splendour,” which challenged the traditional villainous depiction of the king.
5 Interesting Facts about Sharon Kay Penman
1. Sharon Kay Penman spent 12 years researching and writing her first novel, “The Sunne in Splendour,” which was published in 1982.
2. She lost the manuscript for “The Sunne in Splendour” while moving from New Jersey to California, and it was never recovered; she had to rewrite the entire book.
3. Penman was one of the first historical novelists to receive significant recognition for her detailed and accurate portrayal of medieval history.
4. She was an active member of the Richard III Society and often participated in discussions and events related to the king.
5. Penman received the honor of being named a Grand Master by the Historical Novel Society in 2014 for her contributions to the genre.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sharon Kay Penman
1. “History is the story of people; it is the story of their lives, their dreams, their struggles, and their failures.”
2. “People are much the same in every age; the difference lies in the circumstances in which they find themselves.”
3. “I never set out to write a book about a villain. I set out to write about a human being.”
4. “I think the best historical fiction is both a good story and good history.”
5. “My goal has always been to make the past come alive for my readers.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Sharon Kay Penman’s highest net worth was estimated at approximately $1 million at the peak of her career.
Children
Sharon Kay Penman did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Official Author Page on Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16284.Sharon_Kay_Penman
2. [Sharon Kay Penman on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Kay_Penman
4. [Sharon Kay Penman Books on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Kay-Penman/e/B000AP8Q9U
5. [Richard III Society](https://www.richardiii.net/
