Jostein Gaarder (Oslo, 1952) was Professor of Philosophy and History of Ideas in Bergen institute for ten years. In 1986 he began publishing books, and in 1990 received the Critics Award and the Literary Prize Norwegian Ministry of Culture for his novel The Mystery solitaire (Siruela, 1995). But it was Sophie's World (Siruela, 1994), the work became a real international bestseller and has been awarded in Spain with Archbishop John of San Clemente and Count of Barcelona awards. Gaarder has created the Sophia Foundation, whose $ 100,000 annual award for the best innovative work is granted in favor of the environment and development.