Stephen Mitchell is one of the most respected translators and authors in contemporary literature. Born in 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, he graduated from Amherst College and the University of Paris, then earned his Ph.D. from Yale University. Mitchell possesses an exceptional command of language, which he has employed in a unique way, deeply influenced by his practice of Zen Buddhism and his knowledge of spiritual disciplines from various cultures.
Best known for his profound and widely acclaimed translations of works such as 'Tao Te Ching', 'Gilgamesh', 'The Iliad', and 'The Book of Job', Mitchell has breathed modern life into these age-old texts. Due to his capacity to recreate the rhythm and tone of the original works, they have been heralded for their readability, fidelity, and poetical merits, inspiring a new generation of readers.
In addition to translating, he has penned original works, including the novel 'Meetings with the Archangel' and 'The Frog Prince', a book of his poems. In every piece, Mitchell invites readers to explore themes of human experience, universal truths, and spiritual wisdom, demonstrating his mastery as a storyteller and linguist.