Photo: The National Churches Trust from London / CC BY 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Bill Bryson is, to me, proof that nonfiction can be as compulsively readable as any novel. A Short History of Nearly Everything is the rare science book I'd hand to someone who claims they hate science, and A Walk in the Woods made the Appalachian Trail feel both noble and hilariously absurd. Born in Des Moines in 1951, he became the great transatlantic explainer, an American who fell for Britain and wrote about both with affectionate exasperation. The OBE and Royal Society fellowship are remarkable nods for a journalist. I admire his gift for curiosity that never tips into condescension. Few writers make learning feel this fun.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Bill Bryson
- Name (Japanese)
- ビル・ブライソン
- Reading
- びる・ぶらいそん
- Born
- December 8, 1951 (age 74)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Rabbit
- Origin
- Des Moines, Iowa, United States
- Occupation
- journalist / travel writer / autobiographer / science writer / science communicator
2. Background
- High school
- Theodore Roosevelt High School
- University
- Drake University
Awards & achievements
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- 2009 Zilveren Griffel
- James Joyce Awards
- honorary doctor of the University of Leicester
- honorary doctor of Durham University
- 2013 Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society
- 2002 honorary doctorate
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | A Short History of Nearly Everything | — | |
| Notable work | At Home: A Short History of Private Life | — | |
| Notable work | A Walk in the Woods | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Bill Bryson born?
Born December 8, 1951 (age 74).
Where is Bill Bryson from?
Bill Bryson is from Des Moines, Iowa, United States.
What does Bill Bryson do?
Bill Bryson works as journalist, travel writer, autobiographer, science writer, science communicator.
What is Bill Bryson known for?
Notable works include A Short History of Nearly Everything, A Walk in the Woods.
Journalist — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.