Colleen McCullough was an Australian author best known for her novel, The Thorn Birds, published in 1977. This sweeping family saga set in the Australian outback became an international bestseller and was later adapted into a successful television miniseries. McCullough's writing often explored themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Born on June 1, 1937, in Wellington, New South Wales, McCullough initially pursued a career in medicine, earning a degree in neuroscience. She published numerous novels throughout her career, including historical fiction and romance, and received various awards for her contributions to literature before her passing on January 29, 2015.