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Dan Brown

Dan Brown is an American author known for his globally successful thriller novels, including the Robert Langdon series, which blend history, art, and conspiracy.

1. Overview

Dan Brown, American author known for his thriller novels.
Dan Brown, American author known for his thriller novels.

Dan Brown, born Daniel Gerhard Brown on June 22, 1964, is an American author widely recognized for his thriller novels. His most prominent works include the Robert Langdon series, which features the Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon as the protagonist. This series comprises Angels & Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003), The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013), Origin (2017), and the upcoming The Secret of Secrets (2025).

Brown's novels are often structured as treasure hunts, typically unfolding over a 24-hour period, and frequently incorporate themes of cryptography, art, history, religion, and conspiracy theories. His books have achieved immense global success, translated into over 50 languages and selling more than 200 million copies worldwide as of 2012.

Several of his novels have been adapted into films, including Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and Inferno, with Tom Hanks starring as Robert Langdon and Ron Howard directing. The Lost Symbol was also adapted into a television series. While his works have garnered significant popular appeal and commercial success, they have also generated considerable controversy, particularly the Robert Langdon novels due to their engagement with Christian themes and historical fiction. Brown maintains that his books are not anti-Christian and are intended to be "entertaining stories that promote spiritual discussion and debate," serving as a "positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith."

2. Early Life and Education

Daniel Gerhard Brown was born on June 22, 1964, in Exeter, New Hampshire, as the eldest of three children. He has a younger sister, Valerie (born 1968), and a brother, Gregory W. Brown (born 1974). Brown attended Exeter's public schools until the ninth grade.

He grew up on the campus of Phillips Exeter Academy, a prestigious boarding school, where his father, Richard G. Brown, was a mathematics teacher and textbook writer from 1968 until his retirement in 1997. His mother, Constance (née Gerhard), was a trained church organist and a student of sacred music, descended from Pennsylvania Dutch Schwenkfelders. The family's residence on the academy campus meant Brown was raised in a predominantly Christian environment, singing in the church choir, attending Sunday school, and participating in church camps during summers.

Brown was raised as an Episcopalian. However, his religious views evolved during his adolescence. In eighth or ninth grade, studying astronomy, cosmology, and the origins of the universe led him to question the literal interpretation of biblical creation. He found science to offer more coherent explanations and initially gravitated away from religion. Later in life, he described a full-circle return to a spiritual perspective, noting that "the more science I studied, the more I saw that physics becomes metaphysics and numbers become imaginary numbers. The further you go into science, the mushier the ground gets. You start to say, 'Oh, there is an order and a spiritual aspect to science.'"

Brown's fascination with secrets, puzzles, and codes originated from his childhood home. His parents' professions in mathematics, music, and languages were often intertwined by codes and ciphers. The young Brown spent countless hours solving anagrams and crossword puzzles. He and his siblings frequently participated in elaborate treasure hunts devised by their father for birthdays and holidays. For instance, on Christmas, instead of finding gifts under the tree, they would follow a treasure map with codes and clues hidden throughout their house and even around town to locate their presents. This unique upbringing profoundly influenced his writing; the relationship between Sophie Neveu and Jacques Saunière in The Da Vinci Code was inspired by Brown's relationship with his father, and Chapter 23 of that novel directly draws from one of his childhood treasure hunts.

After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1982, Brown attended Amherst College. There, he pursued a double major in English and Spanish and was initiated into the Psi Upsilon fraternity. During his time at Amherst, he played squash and sang in the Amherst College Glee Club. He also honed his writing skills under the guidance of visiting novelist Alan Lelchuk. In 1985, Brown spent a year in Seville, Spain, where he enrolled in an art history course at the University of Seville. He completed his studies at Amherst, graduating in 1986.

3. Music Career

Following his graduation from Amherst College in 1986, Dan Brown initially pursued a career in music. He experimented with a synthesizer and independently produced a children's cassette titled SynthAnimals. This collection featured tracks such as "Happy Frogs" and "Suzuki Elephants" and sold a few hundred copies.

In 1990, Brown established his own record company, Dalliance, and self-published a CD aimed at the adult market, titled Perspective, which also sold a few hundred units. In 1991, he relocated to Hollywood with aspirations of becoming a professional singer-songwriter and pianist. To support himself during this period, he taught classes at Beverly Hills Preparatory School.

While in Los Angeles, Brown became involved with the National Academy of Songwriters, participating in numerous events. It was there that he met Blythe Newlon, who was the academy's Director of Artist Development. Blythe took an active and supportive role in promoting Brown's musical projects, despite it not being an official part of her job. She assisted by writing press releases, arranging promotional events, and connecting him with influential figures in the music industry. Their professional collaboration evolved into a personal relationship, which remained largely private until Brown's return to New Hampshire in 1993, when Blythe accompanied him. They married in 1997, at Pea Porridge Pond, near Conway, New Hampshire.

In 1993, Brown released a CD under his own name, "Dan Brown," which included songs like "976-Love" and "If You Believe in Love." The following year, in 1994, he released another CD titled Angels & Demons. The album's artwork featured an ambigram created by artist John Langdon, an image that Brown would later use for his novel of the same name. The liner notes of this CD explicitly credited his wife, thanking her "for being my tireless co-writer, co-producer, second engineer, significant other, and therapist." The album included tracks such as "Here in These Fields" and the religious ballad "All I Believe."

4. Teaching Career

After returning to his home state of New Hampshire in 1993 with his future wife Blythe Newlon, Dan Brown began a period of employment as an educator. He took on a role as an English teacher at his alma mater, Phillips Exeter Academy. In addition to teaching at the academy, he also taught Spanish to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at Lincoln Akerman School, a small elementary school for K-8th grade with approximately 250 students, located in Hampton Falls. Brown continued in his teaching roles until 1996, when he decided to leave the profession to dedicate himself full-time to his burgeoning writing career.

5. Writing Career

Dan Brown's writing career began with a pivotal moment of inspiration and has since evolved into global success, marked by distinctive themes and a disciplined writing process, though not without its share of criticism and legal challenges.

5.1. Inspiration and Influences

Dan Brown's aspiration to become a thriller writer was ignited during a vacation in Tahiti, France, in 1993. While there, he read Sidney Sheldon's novel The Doomsday Conspiracy. This experience served as a profound inspiration, with some accounts suggesting he was captivated by its page-turning quality, while others indicate he believed he could "do better" than Sheldon.

Beyond Sheldon, Brown has openly acknowledged several other literary and academic influences that shaped his distinctive writing style and thematic interests. His work is heavily influenced by academic Joseph Campbell, renowned for his extensive writings on mythology and religion, particularly influential in the field of screenwriting. Brown has stated that he based the character of Robert Langdon on Campbell. Director Alfred Hitchcock is another key influence; like Hitchcock, Brown favors suspense-laden plots featuring an innocent middle-aged man pursued by deadly foes, set in glamorous foreign locations with key scenes in popular tourist destinations. His narratives often include a cast of wealthy and eccentric characters, young and curvaceous female sidekicks, and elements of Catholicism and MacGuffins.

Brown has also cited six books as having a significant impact on him: Douglas Hofstadter's Gödel, Escher, Bach, Fred Wrixon's Codes Ciphers & Other Cryptic & Clandestine Communication, John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, John Langdon's Wordplay: Ambigrams and Other Puzzles, William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, and James Bamford's The Puzzle Palace. He praised Much Ado About Nothing for its witty dialogue and noted that Robert Ludlum's early Bourne Trilogy novels, with their complex, intelligent, and fast-paced narratives, sparked his interest in global thrillers. Other favorite works include Jeffrey Archer's Kane and Abel, Nelson DeMille's Plum Island, and The Elements of Style.

5.2. Writing Process and Themes

Brown's novels are characterized by a set of recurring elements and a rigorous writing process. His typical narrative structure involves a seemingly ordinary hero who is pulled from their familiar setting and thrust into a new, unfamiliar environment where they must confront imminent danger from a pursuing villain. These stories often feature an attractive female sidekick or love interest, extensive foreign travel, and antagonists who may have a disability or genetic disorder. A hallmark of his thrillers is that the entire story typically unfolds within a 24-hour timeframe, creating a sense of urgency and high stakes.

His thematic interests are deeply rooted in cryptography, art, history, religion, and conspiracy theories. These elements are intricately woven into his plots, often serving as the core mysteryies that his characters must unravel. Brown's fascination with puzzles, codes, and treasure hunts, stemming from his childhood, is evident in the intricate layers of his narratives. He believes the most ideal themes are those that do not offer easy answers of right or wrong, but instead pose moral dilemmas that can spark public discussion and debate.

The extensive research required for his novels is a significant aspect of his writing process, often taking up to two years to complete a single book. To maintain focus during such demanding work, Brown chooses "big ideas" that genuinely excite him. He adheres to a strict and consistent daily routine, a habit developed during the period when he balanced writing with his teaching career. He typically wakes at 4 AM, a time he finds most productive and free from distractions, and begins writing immediately. This early morning writing holds symbolic significance for him. To combat writer's block and maintain physical activity, he places an antique hourglass on his desk, taking short breaks every hour for push-ups, sit-ups, and stretching. He has also mentioned using inversion therapy with gravity boots, stating that "hanging upside down seems to help me solve plot challenges by shifting my entire perspective."

5.3. Major Works

This section details Dan Brown's various literary contributions, including his highly successful Robert Langdon series, stand-alone thrillers, and ventures into children's and humor books.

5.3.1. Robert Langdon Series

The Robert Langdon series is Brown's most famous contribution to literature, featuring Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology. The novels in this series are presented chronologically:

  • Angels & Demons (2000): This novel introduces Robert Langdon as he investigates a secret society, the Illuminati, and their plot against the Vatican. It delves into themes of science versus religion and ancient conspiracy.
  • The Da Vinci Code (2003): The book that propelled Brown to international stardom, it follows Langdon as he uncovers a religious mystery involving the Priory of Sion and Mary Magdalene's supposed bloodline, challenging conventional Christian history.
  • The Lost Symbol (2009): Set in Washington, D.C., this novel explores the secrets of Freemasonry and American history, with Langdon racing against time to save a kidnapped mentor.
  • Inferno (2013): Langdon finds himself embroiled in a plot linked to Dante Alighieri's epic poem Inferno, dealing with themes of overpopulation and transhumanism.
  • Origin (2017): This installment sees Langdon investigating a groundbreaking scientific discovery that promises to answer humanity's biggest questions about existence, leading him into a conflict with religious fundamentalism.
  • The Secret of Secrets (2025): An upcoming novel in the series, details about its plot and themes are yet to be fully revealed.

5.3.2. Stand-alone Novels

In addition to the Robert Langdon series, Dan Brown has authored several stand-alone thriller novels:

  • Digital Fortress (1998): Brown's debut novel, it explores the dangers of government surveillance and the ethical dilemmas surrounding privacy in the digital age, set primarily within the National Security Agency (NSA).
  • Deception Point (2001): This political thriller centers on a NASA discovery that could impact a presidential election, uncovering a web of deceit and conspiracy within the highest levels of government and scientific institutions.

5.3.3. Children's Books

Brown has also ventured into children's literature with a unique multimedia project:

  • Wild Symphony (2020): This picture book for children is accompanied by a classical music album composed by Brown himself. Illustrated by Hungarian artist Susan Batori, the book features simple ambigrams for children, and its visuals are designed to trigger corresponding music in an accompanying app. The music was recorded by the Zagreb Festival Orchestra. In 2020, the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra was scheduled to perform its world concert premiere. In March 2022, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Weed Road Pictures announced plans to adapt Wild Symphony into an animated musical feature film, drawing inspiration from Walt Disney's Fantasia. Brown is slated to write the screenplay and songs for the film, with Akiva Goldsman serving as producer.

5.3.4. Humor Books

  • 187 Men to Avoid: A Survival Guide for the Romantically Frustrated Woman (1995, co-written with his wife under the pseudonym "Danielle Brown")
  • The Bald Book (1998, officially credited to his wife, but primarily written by Brown)

5.4. Adaptations

Several of Dan Brown's highly popular novels have been adapted into films and television series, bringing his intricate plots and thematic explorations to a wider audience.

In 2006, Brown's global bestseller The Da Vinci Code was released as a film by Columbia Pictures, directed by Ron Howard. The film, starring Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, Audrey Tautou as Sophie Neveu, and Ian McKellen as Leigh Teabing, was highly anticipated and premiered as the opening film of the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Despite its commercial success, grossing over 750.00 M USD worldwide and becoming the second highest-grossing film of the year, it received largely poor critical reviews, holding a 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and being listed as one of the worst films of 2006 by Ebert & Roeper. Brown was credited as an executive producer for the film and contributed additional codes. One of his self-composed and performed songs, "Phiano," was included in the film's soundtrack. Brown and his wife even made a cameo appearance in one of the early book signing scenes.

The next film adaptation, Angels & Demons, was released on May 15, 2009, with Ron Howard returning as director and Tom Hanks reprising his role as Robert Langdon. While it also garnered mostly negative reviews, critics were generally kinder to it than to its predecessor, with a 37% meta-rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Initially, filmmakers expressed interest in adapting The Lost Symbol into a film. A screenplay was written by Danny Strong, and pre-production was expected to begin in 2013, with a final draft of the screenplay due in February of that year. However, in July 2013, Sony Pictures announced a change of plans, deciding instead to adapt Inferno. This film, also directed by Ron Howard with a screenplay by David Koepp and Tom Hanks returning as Robert Langdon, was released on October 28, 2016.

Beyond feature films, Brown's works have also been adapted for television. In 2014, Imagine Entertainment announced plans to produce a television series based on Digital Fortress, with Josh Goldin and Rachel Abramowitz attached as writers. In 2021, Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol was adapted into a television series for the streaming service Peacock. This series was repositioned as an origin story for Brown's Robert Langdon character, with Ashley Zukerman playing Langdon. It ran for one season before its cancellation in January 2022.

5.5. Reception and Criticism

Dan Brown's novels, particularly The Da Vinci Code, have generated significant critical discussion, encompassing both widespread popularity and substantial scrutiny.

His prose style has frequently been criticized as clumsy. Critics have described The Da Vinci Code as "committing style and word choice blunders in almost every paragraph." In his 2005 documentary for Channel 4, The Real Da Vinci Code, author and presenter Tony Robinson notably criticized both the accuracy of Brown's historical research and the quality of the writing itself, deeming the book not particularly well-written.

Much of the criticism has focused on Brown's claim in his novels' prefaces that his narratives are based on factual information. For The Da Vinci Code, this centered on his assertion regarding Opus Dei and the Priory of Sion, and his statement that "all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in [the] novel are accurate." Critics have challenged the historical and religious accuracy of these claims, leading to widespread debate.

In response to such criticisms, Brown has stated that his approach is intentional. In a September 2009 interview on The Today Show, he explained, "I do everything intentionally and distinctly in my books. And that's to blend fact and fiction in a modern and efficient way, to tell a story. There are some people who understand what I do, and they read them on trains, cars, and have a great time and there are others who read books by other authors." He views his books as "entertaining stories that promote spiritual discussion and debate" and suggests they can be used "as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith."

6. Personal Life

Signature of Dan Brown.
Signature of Dan Brown.

Dan Brown was married to Blythe Newlon, an art historian and painter, whom he met at the National Academy of Songwriters in Los Angeles. They married in 1997. Blythe played a significant role in Brown's early career, assisting with promotion and research for his books, and was even described as his "chief researcher" in some articles. The couple were also supporters of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

After 21 years of marriage, Brown and Newlon divorced acrimoniously in 2019. The financial settlement of their divorce was protracted due to allegations by Newlon of Brown's infidelities during the latter part of their marriage. In December 2021, the couple reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit.

7. Charity Work

Dan Brown has engaged in notable philanthropic endeavors, primarily focusing on education and libraries.

In October 2004, Brown and his siblings collectively donated 2.20 M USD to Phillips Exeter Academy, their alma mater, in honor of their father, Richard G. Brown. This substantial donation established the Richard G. Brown Technology Endowment, specifically designated to "provide computers and high-tech equipment for students in need" at the academy.

On April 14, 2011, Dan Brown and his then-wife, Blythe Newlon Brown, created an eponymous scholarship fund at Amherst College to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his graduation. This permanently endowed scholarship fund provides financial aid to students attending Amherst, with a preference given to incoming students who demonstrate an interest in writing.

Further demonstrating his commitment to knowledge and education, on June 16, 2016, Brown donated 337.00 K USD to the Ritman Library in Amsterdam. This significant contribution was specifically allocated to facilitate the digitization of a valuable collection of ancient books, making these historical texts more accessible to a wider audience.

8. Bibliography

This section provides a comprehensive list of Dan Brown's published works, categorized by series and type.

8.1. Robert Langdon Series

  • Angels & Demons (2000)
  • The Da Vinci Code (2003)
  • The Lost Symbol (2009)
  • Inferno (2013)
  • Origin (2017)
  • The Secret of Secrets (September 2025)

8.2. Stand-alone Novels

  • Digital Fortress (1998)
  • Deception Point (2001)

8.3. Children's Books

  • Wild Symphony (2020)

8.4. Humor Books

  • 187 Men to Avoid: A Survival Guide for the Romantically Frustrated Woman (1995, co-written with his wife under the pseudonym "Danielle Brown")
  • The Bald Book (1998, officially credited to his wife, but primarily written by Brown)