David John Duncan, born in Scotland in 1933, became a Canadian citizen in 1960 after studying geology. He worked as a geologist for nearly thirty years before embarking on a writing career at the age of 53. His first sale occurred in 1986, marking his shift to full-time authorship. Duncan was a prolific writer, publishing over fifty books across various fantasy and science fiction series and standalone novels. He received the Aurora Award twice and was inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2015. Duncan passed away in 2018 at the age of 85. He was married with children and grandchildren.

Born in Newport-on-Tay, Scotland, David John Duncan received his education at the High School of Dundee and pursued geology at the University of St Andrews. After graduating in 1955, he relocated to Calgary, Alberta, and became a Canadian citizen in 1960. Duncan spent almost three decades in the petroleum industry as a geologist. His writing career began in earnest in 1986 when, at 53, he sold his first novel, 'A Rose-Red City.' This sale coincided with the end of his geological career due to an oil industry downturn, leading him to dedicate himself fully to writing.

Duncan's output as an author was extensive, resulting in over fifty published books. His works spanned multiple series, including 'The Seventh Sword,' 'Pandemia,' 'The King's Blades,' and 'Dodec,' as well as numerous standalone novels. He was recognized with the Aurora Award twice: in 1990 for 'West of January' and again in 2007 for 'Children of Chaos.' His contributions to the genre were further acknowledged with his induction into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2015. While he primarily wrote under his own name, some earlier works were published using the pseudonyms Ken Hood and Sarah B. Franklin.

Duncan explored various narrative structures and themes within his fantasy and science fiction works. The 'Seventh Sword' series, for instance, involves a protagonist transferred into a pre-technological world by a goddess. His 'Pandemia' series, specifically the 'A Man of His Word' sub-series, drew inspiration from John Keats' poem 'Ode to a Nightingale.' He also penned young adult series like 'The King's Daggers' and short story collections such as 'Ivor of Glenbroch,' demonstrating a broad range in his storytelling. His bibliography includes distinct series like 'The Great Game,' 'The Years of Longdirk,' and 'The Starfolk,' showcasing a consistent engagement with speculative fiction.