Thomas Harris was born in Jackson, Tennessee. At a young age his family moved to Rich, Mississippi. He lived and attended school there until he left for Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He graduated in 1964 and spent a brief period of time travelling through Europe. Harris began his writing career covering crime in the United States and Mexico, and was a reporter and editor for the Associated Press in New York City from 1968 to 1974. He is the creator of 'Hannibal Lecter', a doctor, psychopath, and serial killer.