John Grisham is an acclaimed American author best known for his legal thrillers. With over 40 novels, many of which have become bestsellers, his works have captivated readers worldwide.

Biography

Attribute	Details
Full Name	John Ray Grisham Jr.
Date of Birth	February 8, 1955
Nationality	American
Profession	Novelist, Lawyer, Former Politician
Education	Mississippi State University (Undergraduate), University of Mississippi School of Law (Juris Doctor)
Political Career	Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives (1983-1990)
Number of Bestsellers	37 consecutive number-one fiction bestsellers
Books Sold	300 million copies worldwide
Notable Achievements	One of only three anglophone authors to sell two million copies on the first printing (alongside Tom Clancy and J.K. Rowling)
First Novel	A Time to Kill (published in June 1989)
First Bestseller	The Firm (sold more than seven million copies)
Film Adaptations	A Time to Kill (1996) The Firm (1993) The Chamber The Client A Painted House The Pelican Brief The Rainmaker The Runaway Jury Skipping Christmas

Early Life

John Grisham was born on February 8, 1955, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. His early life was marked by frequent relocations due to his father's occupation as a construction worker, which required the family to move often. At the age of four, Grisham's family settled temporarily in Parkin, Arkansas, where they lived for three years before continuing their migratory lifestyle. Despite these frequent moves, Grisham developed a love for storytelling and dreamt of becoming a professional baseball player. However, he eventually pursued a career in law, which later became the foundation for his successful writing career. His legal experiences and the testimony of a young girl in a Mississippi courtroom inspired him to write his first novel while juggling his legal practice and serving in the state legislature.

Family

Relation	Name	Information
Father	John Ray Grisham	John Ray Grisham was a construction worker and cotton farmer. He moved the family frequently, working various jobs to support them.
Mother	Wanda Skidmore Grisham	Wanda was a homemaker who supported the family through their frequent relocations.
Brother	Ty Grisham	One of John Grisham's siblings, not much detailed information is publicly available.
Brother	Shea Grisham	Another sibling of John Grisham, specific details about Shea's life are not widely known.
Brother	Kevin Grisham	John Grisham's sibling, with less public information available about his life.
Brother	Mark Grisham	Mark Grisham is also one of John's siblings; detailed information is not publicly available.

Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements

Measurement	Value
Height	6 feet 1 inch (185 cm)
Weight	Not Publicly Available
Chest	Not Publicly Available
Waist	Not Publicly Available
Biceps	Not Publicly Available

Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend

John Grisham is currently married to Renee Jones. They got married on May 8, 1981. Renee Jones was Grisham's college girlfriend before they tied the knot. They have two children together and have been married for over four decades. Renee has been a significant part of John Grisham's life and career, providing support throughout his journey as a lawyer and a successful author.

There is no publicly available information about John Grisham having any other wives or girlfriends before Renee Jones. It appears that Renee Jones has been his long-term partner since their college days.

Career, Achievements And Controversies

John Grisham became famous primarily through his legal thrillers, which captivated readers with their intense plots and insider knowledge of the legal system. His fame skyrocketed with the publication of his second novel, The Firm, which became a bestseller and was later adapted into a successful film. His ability to weave compelling narratives around legal dilemmas has made him a household name.

John Grisham's career began in the legal field. He initially dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player but eventually settled on studying accounting and then law. He practiced as a tax lawyer and served in the Mississippi House of Representatives. Inspired by a case he observed in a Mississippi courthouse, Grisham began writing his first novel, A Time to Kill, which, after initial modest success, gained significant popularity.

Popular Works

• A Time to Kill
• The Firm
• The Pelican Brief
• The Client
• The Rainmaker
• The Testament

John Grisham has received numerous accolades throughout his career. Some of his notable awards include:

• Two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction
• Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction

Despite his success, John Grisham has been involved in some controversies. One of the most notable instances occurred in 2014 when he made comments during an interview that appeared to downplay the severity of certain types of child pornography offenses. He later apologized for his remarks, acknowledging that they were inappropriate and insensitive.

John Grisham's journey from a practicing lawyer to a best-selling author is a testament to his talent and dedication. While his career has not been without its controversies, his contributions to the literary world, particularly in the genre of legal thrillers, are significant and enduring.

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