Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, Ross King pursued higher education in English Literature, earning advanced degrees from the University of Regina and York University, with a specialization in 18th-century English literature. He began his writing career with two historical fiction novels in the 1990s before transitioning to non-fiction, where he has achieved significant critical and commercial success.

King's non-fiction works often focus on art history and biography, exploring pivotal moments and figures in art and architecture. His books have frequently appeared on bestseller lists and have garnered numerous awards and nominations, including multiple Governor-General's Awards and a National Book Critics Circle Award nomination. He has lectured internationally and led tours of significant European sites, reflecting his deep engagement with his subjects. King currently resides in England.

Ross King initiated his writing career with two historical fiction novels published in the 1990s: 'Domino' (1995), which explored the lives of a castrato singer and an aspiring painter in 1770s London, and 'Ex-Libris' (1998), a story set in 17th-century London and Prague involving a bookseller's search for a lost manuscript, leading him into a world of intrigue. These early works established his interest in historical settings and narrative. Following these fictional endeavors, King shifted his focus to non-fiction, a move that would define the subsequent phase of his career.

King gained widespread recognition for his non-fiction works, particularly those centered on art history and architecture. His 2000 book, 'Brunelleschi's Dome: The Story of the Great Cathedral in Florence,' detailed the construction of Florence Cathedral's iconic dome and marked his successful transition to non-fiction. This book became a bestseller and earned him the Book Sense Nonfiction Book of the Year award. Subsequent works like 'Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling' (2002), which explored the creation of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and 'The Judgment of Paris' (2006), examining the Impressionist movement, further solidified his reputation. He has been honored with Canada's Governor-General's Award for Non-Fiction on multiple occasions for these contributions.

Beyond architectural and artistic movements, King has also penned biographies of significant historical figures. His work 'Machiavelli: Philosopher of Power' (2007) delved into the life and political thought of Niccolò Machiavelli. He also examined the Canadian art scene in 'Defiant Spirits: The Modernist Revolution of the Group of Seven' (2010). His later works continued this thematic exploration, including 'Leonardo and the Last Supper' (2012), for which he received another Governor General's Award, and 'Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies' (2017), which earned him the RBC Taylor Prize. His 2021 book, 'The Bookseller of Florence,' focused on Vespasiano da Bisticci.