Winston Groom was an American author best known for his novel Forrest Gump, published in 1986. The book tells the story of a man with a low IQ who unwittingly influences several historical events in the 20th century. Groom's writing combines humor and poignant moments, making the character of Forrest Gump memorable. In addition to Forrest Gump, Groom wrote several other novels and works of non-fiction, including A Storm in Flanders and Gump & Co.. He was born on March 23, 1944, in Mobile, Alabama, and passed away on September 17, 2020. His contributions to literature have left a lasting impact on American culture.