John Gardner was an American author and educator, born on July 21, 1933, in Batavia, New York. He is best known for his novels, including Grendel, a retelling of the Beowulf story from the perspective of the monster. Gardner's writing often explores themes of morality, identity, and the human condition. In addition to his fiction, Gardner was a prominent teacher and wrote several influential books on writing, such as The Art of Fiction. He taught at various institutions, including Harvard University and Bennington College, and was known for his engaging teaching style and dedication to nurturing young writers.