Michael Crichton was born October 23, 1942.  He was born in Chicago, Illinois, but Crichton spent the first three years of his life with his sister and mother living in Colorado.  Then, his family moved to Roslyn, Long Island, New York. 

Crichton seemed destined for writing from a young age.  “I wrote a lot in fifth and sixth grade, too, and I became known for it; I was the weird kid who wrote extra assignments the teacher didn't ask for. I just did it because I liked writing so much.” [1]   His first paid article was a submission to the travel section of the New York Times about his family road trip to Arizona in 1964. Yet, becuase he doubted he could make a living as an author, Crichton enrolled at Harvard Medical School.  In an attempt to pay for school, Crichton wrote several thriller novels including “A Case of Need” which won the Mystery Writers Edgar Allen Poe Award in 1969. 

The success of Crichton’s early novels convinced him to leave the medical field and pursue writing full-time.  Since that time, 150 million copies of his books have been sold in 36 different languages.  But he has not only limited himself to novel writing.  In the 1973, Crichton wrote and directed Westworld.  This was the first movie to use computer-generated special effects.  In the 1980’s he ran FilmTrack, a software company that pioneered the computer programs in motion pictures.  In the 1990’s Crichton created the Emmy winning TV series, ER. 

Today, Crichton has entered the political arena with the publishing of his most recent book State of Fear.  He has testified before a Congressional hearing on climate change.  He has also given several controversial speeches around the country on the topic of global warming.

[1] Crichton, Michael (2005). "For Younger Readers". http://www.crichton-official.com/foryoungerreaders/index.html

Source: Wikipedia - "Michael Crichton" & the Official Michael Critchon Website