Patrick James Rothfuss was born on June 6, 1973, in Madison, Wisconsin. He earned his B.A. at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and later completed his M.A. at Washington State University. He began his writing career with 'The Name of the Wind,' the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicle series, which won the Quill Award and became a New York Times Bestseller. His works are known for their intricate storytelling and complex character development.