William McGuire "Bill" Bryson, OBE, FRS is a best-selling American author of humorous books on travel, as well as books on the English language and science. Born in the United States, he was a resident of Britain for most of his adult life before returning to the U.S. in 1995. In 2003 Bryson moved back to Britain, living in the old rectory of Wramplingham, Norfolk, and served as chancellor of Durham University from 2005 through 2011. Bryson shot to prominence in the United Kingdom with the publication of Notes from a Small Island, an exploration of Britain, and its accompanying television series. He received widespread recognition again with the publication of A Short History of Nearly Everything, a book widely acclaimed for its accessible communication of science. 

December 8th, 1951 in Des Moines (Age 72) as William McGuire Bryson