Ross King

Born and raised in Canada, Ross King has lived in England
since 1992. In 2002—03, two books of his were published in
the United States, Domino, about the world of masquerades
and opera in 18th century London and the New York Times
bestselling Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling.

Nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award in 2003
in the category of critisicm, in Michelangelo and the Pope's
Ceiling King tells the story of the four
years—1508-1512.—Michelangelo spent painting the ceiling of
the newly restored Sistine chapel. In this extraordinary
book, he presents a magnificent tapestry of day-to-day life
of the ingenious Sistine scaffolding and outside in the
upheaval of early 16th century Rome.

King’s highly acclaimed Brunelleschi’s Dome: How a
Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture, was an instant
hit in the U.S., landing on the New York Times, Boston Globe
and San Francisco Chronicle bestseller lists and becoming a
handselling favorite among booksellers. Brunelleschi’s Dome
was chosen "The 2000 Book Sense Nonfiction Book of the Year"
and a Book Sense 76 top ten selection.

Anyone familiar with Ross King’s writing knows that he has
an astonishing knowledge of European cultural history. He
originally planned a career in academia, earning his Ph.D.
in English Literature and moving to England to assume a
research position at the University of London.

King lives near Oxford, England, in the historic town of
Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace. He is a devoted
cyclist and hikes regularly in both the Pyrenees and the
Canadian Rockies.