David Adams Richards, born in 1950 in New Brunswick, Canada, is a distinguished writer known for his novels, plays, short stories, and non-fiction. He left university before completing his degree but gained recognition early in his career, winning a literary prize for an excerpt from his first novel, which was published in 1974. His literary work frequently delves into the experiences of the poor and working class in the Miramichi region, often incorporating spiritual and philosophical ideas influenced by his Roman Catholic faith.

Beyond his writing, Richards had a notable career in public service. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2017 and served until his retirement in 2025. During his time in the Senate, he navigated various affiliations, emphasizing his desire for personal autonomy. Richards has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including multiple Governor General's Awards, a Giller Prize, and induction into the Order of Canada, solidifying his significant contributions to Canadian literature.

Richards' literary output encompasses novels, stage plays, short stories, and non-fiction, consistently focusing on the lives and struggles of individuals from poor and working-class backgrounds in New Brunswick's Miramichi region. His narratives are deeply imbued with spiritual and philosophical explorations, often reflecting the influence of his Roman Catholic beliefs. This thematic focus provides a lens through which he examines the human condition, exploring complex emotional and existential questions within the context of ordinary lives.

In a significant departure from his literary pursuits, David Adams Richards was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2017. His tenure was marked by a strong emphasis on independence. He resigned from the Independent Senators Group to sit as an unaffiliated senator, citing a desire for maximum personal autonomy, a principle he also applied to his professional associations as an author. He later joined and subsequently left the Canadian Senators Group before retiring from the Senate in 2025 upon reaching the mandatory age.

Richards' contributions to literature have been widely recognized with numerous prestigious awards. He is a recipient of multiple Gemini Awards for scriptwriting, the Alden Nowlan Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the Canadian Authors Association Award. Notably, he is one of only three writers to have won the Governor General's Award in both fiction and non-fiction categories, for 'Nights Below Station Street' and 'Lines on the Water: A Fisherman's Life on the Miramichi,' respectively. He also shared the Giller Prize for 'Mercy Among the Children' and was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2009 for his literary achievements.