Michael Crichton, - Crichton, Michael. blank">"For Younger Readers", michaelcrichton.com, 2005. Retrieved 11 December _2005. , (born October 23, 1942) is an American author, film producer, film director, medical doctor and television producer best known for his techno-thriller novels, films and television programs. His books have sold over 150 million copies worldwide. His works are usually based on the action genre and heavily feature technology. Many of his future history novels have medical or scientific underpinnings, reflecting his medical training and science background.

Michael Crichton was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in Roslyn, New York. His father was a journalist and encouraged him to write and to type. Michael gave up studying English at Harvard University, having become disillusioned with the teaching standards--the final straw came when he submitted an essay by George Orwell that was given a "B." After giving up English and spending a year in Europe, Michael returned to Boston, Massachusetts, and attended Havard Medical School to train as a doctor. Several times, he was persuaded not to quit the course but did so after qualifying. During his medical-student days, he wrote novels secretly. One of them, "A Case of Need," written under the pseudonym Jeffery Hudson, contained references to people at Harvard Medical School, but he couldn't hide his identity when the novel won an award that had to be collected in person. After giving up medicine, Michael moved to Hollywood, California, in the early 1970s and began directing movies based on his books, his first big break being Westworld (1973).