Michael White, born in 1959, was a British writer who spent much of his career based in Australia. He initially worked as a chemistry lecturer before transitioning to a career in writing. His career included roles as a science editor for British GQ and a columnist for the Sunday Express. White also had a past in music, being a member of the band Colour Me Pop and later The Thompson Twins in the early 1980s.

He authored a significant number of books, totaling thirty-five. His non-fiction works included biographies of prominent scientists and historical figures such as Stephen Hawking, Leonardo da Vinci, Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Isaac Newton. White also ventured into fiction, writing novels that often explored occult and mystery themes. His debut novel, 'Equinox,' a thriller with occult elements, achieved bestseller status in the UK and was translated into numerous languages. He utilized pseudonyms, including Tom West and Sam Fisher, for some of his publications, notably the E-Force trilogy under the name Sam Fisher. White's literary contributions were recognized through shortlistings and nominations for awards.

Michael White established himself as a prolific author, penning thirty-five books throughout his career. His literary output spanned both non-fiction and fiction. In non-fiction, he focused on biographies of influential figures, particularly scientists and historical personalities like Stephen Hawking, Leonardo da Vinci, Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Isaac Newton. His fiction, however, delved into more esoteric territories, with novels such as 'Equinox' exploring occult mysteries. This debut novel achieved significant commercial success, reaching the UK Top Ten and being translated into 35 languages. Later novels like 'The Medici Secret,' 'The Borgia Ring,' and 'The Art of Murder' continued to engage with historical and potentially mystical narratives. He also wrote 'Galileo: Antichrist,' a biographical work that touches upon themes of heresy and historical interpretation.

In addition to writing under his own name, Michael White utilized pseudonyms to explore different facets of his writing or to reach specific audiences. He published under the names Tom West and Sam Fisher. The latter pseudonym, Sam Fisher, was employed for the E-Force trilogy, which included titles like 'State of Emergency,' 'Aftershock,' and 'Nano.' These works suggest a focus on contemporary or near-future thrillers. His novel 'The Venetian Detective' features historical figures like Galileo and Elizabeth, blending historical elements with detective fiction. White's biography of Isaac Newton, titled 'The Last Sorcerer,' further hints at an interest in the intersection of science, history, and potentially arcane knowledge.

Michael White's literary achievements garnered recognition through various awards and nominations. His works were short-listed and long-listed for the prestigious Aventis Prize, with 'Rivals' being short-listed in 2002 and 'The Fruits of War' long-listed in 2006. His first novel, 'Equinox,' earned him a nomination for the Ned Kelly Prize for First Novel in 2007. Prior to his extensive writing career, White had a background in academia, serving as a chemistry lecturer. He also had a brief but notable involvement in the music scene of the early 1980s, first with Colour Me Pop and then as a member of The Thompson Twins before their major commercial success.