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Bernard Cornwell

Goodreads Author


Born
in London, England, The United Kingdom
Website

Genre

Influences

Member Since
December 2013


Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.

Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.

He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Nort
...more

Historical Novel Society

I recently spoke with Tom Williams for an article on the Historical Novel Society website:

A hero for our time too: Sharpe’s Storm by Bernard Cornwell
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Published on February 01, 2026 12:14
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Related News

Heads up, history nerds!   Historical fiction remains one of the busiest and most popular genres in the book business. It can be tricky just to...
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Bernard’s Recent Updates

Bernard Cornwell wrote a new blog post

Newt’s World Podcast

I spoke with Newt Gingrich last month. The podcast can be heard here
More of Bernard's books…
Quotes by Bernard Cornwell  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“But fate, as Merlin always taught us, is inexorable. Life is a jest of the Gods, Merlin liked to claim, and there is no justice. You must learn to laugh, he once told me, or else you'll just weep yourself to death.”
Bernard Cornwell, The Winter King

“Destiny is all, Ravn liked to tell me, destiny is everything. He would even say it in English, “Wyrd biõ ful ãræd.”
Bernard Cornwell, The Last Kingdom

“Don't tell me the moon is shining, show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
Bernard Cornwall

Polls

Fantasy came out on top for our June read. Vote for the book you would like to read next month. Last day to vote will be Sunday, May 19.

 
  5 votes, 41.7%

 
  3 votes, 25.0%

 
  2 votes, 16.7%

 
  1 vote, 8.3%

 
  1 vote, 8.3%

 
  0 votes, 0.0%

 
  0 votes, 0.0%

 
  0 votes, 0.0%

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