Ed Greenwood, born in 1959, is a Canadian writer primarily known as the originator of the Forgotten Realms, a highly influential fantasy setting. He began crafting stories for this world in his childhood, envisioning it as a 'dream space' for sword and sorcery narratives and as a source of earthly myths. His discovery of Dungeons & Dragons in 1975 led him to use the Realms as a backdrop for his gaming campaigns, which, due to player demand for depth, evolved into a complex, detailed world. Greenwood started publishing articles about the Realms in The Dragon magazine in 1979, often featuring the wizard Elminster. In 1986, TSR, the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons, acquired the rights to the Forgotten Realms, leading to the publication of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Set in 1987. Greenwood has since authored numerous novels and game supplements set in this world, frequently portraying Elminster. Beyond his work on the Realms, he has also developed other settings like Castlemourn and contributed to various game products and magazines. He has received multiple awards for his contributions to gaming and fantasy literature.

Ed Greenwood's creative journey began in his youth, developing the Forgotten Realms as a personal sanctuary for fantasy narratives. He conceived of this world as part of a larger multiverse, suggesting it as the origin of humanity's myths and legends. The advent of the Dungeons & Dragons game in 1975 provided a practical outlet for his creation, with Greenwood incorporating the Realms into his own gaming sessions. The engagement and desire for intricate detail from his players spurred him to expand the world's lore, transforming it from a casual campaign setting into a rich, expansive universe. His initial public contributions to the Realms appeared in The Dragon magazine starting in 1979, offering readers glimpses into its magical elements and characters, such as the wizard Elminster.

The pivotal moment for the Forgotten Realms arrived in 1986 when TSR, the creators of Dungeons & Dragons, sought a new campaign setting. Recognizing the potential of Greenwood's work, they acquired the rights to the Realms. Greenwood transferred his extensive notes and maps to TSR, selling the rights for a nominal sum and an agreement for the publication of his novels. The subsequent release of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Set in 1987 marked the beginning of the setting's massive success. Greenwood continued to be a driving force behind the world's evolution, authoring many novels, often focusing on the character of Elminster. He demonstrated his commitment to the franchise by offering to assist TSR during their financial difficulties and has continued to contribute to the Realms' lore for decades, including writing for Wizards of the Coast's website.

Beyond the monumental achievement of the Forgotten Realms, Ed Greenwood's creative output extends to other fantasy settings, notably Castlemourn, which he developed for Dungeons & Dragons. He has also co-created the Mornmist setting and contributed to various anthologies and role-playing game products, including those based on Silver Age Sentinels and All Flesh Must Be Eaten. Greenwood has been a prolific contributor to gaming periodicals like Dragon Magazine and Polyhedron Newszine, holding a lifetime membership in the RPGA network. His career has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including inductions into multiple gaming halls of fame. Throughout his prolific writing career, Greenwood has also maintained a profession as a library clerk and editor of small press magazines, often residing in rural Ontario.