Photo: Arkon11 / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Timothy Zahn is a novelist and science fiction writer, born on September 1, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. That puts Timothy Zahn at 74 years old in 2026. Education on record includes Glenbard East High School and Michigan State University. Listed accolades include Hugo Award for Best Novella (1984) and Dragon Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (2023). Notable works include Grand Admiral Thrawn.
My Take
Zahn is one of those rare authors who shaped how an entire generation imagined a galaxy far away. Bringing Grand Admiral Thrawn to life gave Star Wars a villain defined by intellect rather than menace alone, and that restraint is what I admire most. A Hugo winner with a long, disciplined career, he strikes me as a craftsman who builds worlds quietly rather than chasing the spotlight. I find his ability to expand someone else's universe while still creating original fiction genuinely impressive. He is the kind of writer whose influence outlasts the headlines, and I respect that staying power.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Timothy Zahn
- Name (Japanese)
- ティモシイ・ザーン
- Reading
- てぃもしい・ざーん
- Born
- September 1, 1951 (age 74)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Rabbit
- Origin
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Occupation
- novelist / writer / science fiction writer
2. Background
- High school
- Glenbard East High School
- University
- Michigan State University
Awards & achievements
- 1984 Hugo Award for Best Novella
- 2023 Dragon Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Grand Admiral Thrawn | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
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.
Frequently asked questions
When was Timothy Zahn born?
Born September 1, 1951 (age 74).
Where is Timothy Zahn from?
Timothy Zahn is from Chicago, Illinois, United States.
What does Timothy Zahn do?
Timothy Zahn works as novelist, writer, science fiction writer.
What is Timothy Zahn known for?
Notable works include Grand Admiral Thrawn.
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