David John Duncan was born in Newport-on-Tay, Fife, Scotland. In 1955, he moved to Canada and became a Canadian citizen in 1960. He was an author and geologist. He lived on Vancouver Island, Victoria, British Columbia. He is the creator of the 'Alchemist Mystery' series featuring the famous clairvoyant Nostradamus and his apprentice Alfeo in 16th century Venice, Italy.