Spent childhood in Singapore and Libya

Began writing at age 22

Wrote teleplay for "Solid Geometry" for the BBC; banned by BBC for sexual imagery

Published his first collection of short stories, First Love, Last Rites

Wrote the acclaimed British TV play, "The Imitation Game," directed by Richard Eyre (released theatrically in 1983)

Feature screenwriting debut, "The Ploughman's Lunch," directed by Richard Eyre

Adapted Timothy Mo's novel, "Soursweet" for a feature directed by Mike Newell

US feature screenwriting debut, "The Good Son"

Wrote the novel, Enduring Love; adapted into a feature in 2004, starring Daniel Craig, Rhys Ifans and Samantha Morton

Awarded the Booker Prize for his novel Amsterdam

Published the novel, Atonement; was named best novel of 2002 by Time magazine

Published the novel, Saturday, which follows an especially eventful day in the life of a successful neurosurgeon

"Atonement" starring James McAvoy and Keira Knightley, was adapted from his novel of the same name