A Discovery of Witches

Deborah Harkness is a distinguished historian and author, best known for her captivating All Souls Trilogy, which begins with the novel A Discovery of Witches. Born in 1965, Harkness has an impressive academic background, holding a Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Davis. She is a professor of history at the University of Southern California, where she specializes in the history of science and magic in Europe, particularly during the period from 1500 to 1700. Harkness’s debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, published in 2011, quickly became a bestseller and was followed by two sequels, Shadow of Night and The Book of Life. Her work seamlessly blends historical fiction with elements of fantasy, drawing readers into a richly detailed world where witches, vampires, and daemons coexist. In addition to her success as a novelist, Harkness has made significant contributions to the academic field through her scholarly publications, including John Dee’s Conversations with Angels: Cabala, Alchemy, and the End of Nature and The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution. Her ability to bridge the gap between rigorous historical research and engaging storytelling has earned her a unique place in both literary and academic circles.