author
Thomas B. (Thomas Bertram) Costain
1885–1965
Best known for sweeping historical novels, this Canadian-born writer came to fiction after a long career in journalism and magazine editing. He became a bestseller in his late fifties, with books like The Black Rose and The Silver Chalice reaching a wide popular audience.
1 Audiobook
The Amateur Diplomat: A Novel
by Hugh S. (Hugh Sterling) Eayrs, Thomas B. (Thomas Bertram) Costain
About the author
Born in Brantford, Ontario, on May 8, 1885, he built his early career as a journalist and editor. He worked for newspapers and magazines in Canada, served as editor of Maclean’s, and later moved to the United States to become an associate editor of The Saturday Evening Post.
His greatest fame came later in life, when he turned to writing historical fiction. Starting in his fifties, he produced a string of popular novels known for their lively storytelling, rich settings, and accessible take on the past. Among his best-known books are The Black Rose, The Silver Chalice, and the Plantagenets history series.
He died in New York City on October 8, 1965. Remembered as both a seasoned editor and a gifted storyteller, he helped bring historical fiction to a broad mid-20th-century readership.