Diana Gabaldon is an American author best known for her historical fiction series, Outlander. Born on January 11, 1952, in Flagstaff, Arizona, she initially studied zoology and earned a Ph.D. in ecology. Gabaldon began writing in the late 1980s, and her debut novel, published in 1991, quickly gained popularity for its blend of romance, history, and time travel. The Outlander series follows the story of Claire Randall, a World War II nurse who is transported back to 18th-century Scotland. Gabaldon's work has received numerous awards and has been adapted into a successful television series, further expanding her audience.