Ian Rankin OBE, DL, (born 28 April 1960 in Cardenden, Fife) is a Scottish crime writer. His best known books are the Inspector Rebus novels. He has also written several pieces of literary criticism.

Rankin's standard biography states that before becoming a full-time novelist he worked as grape-picker, swineherd, taxman, alcohol researcher, hi-fi journalist, college secretary and punk musician; he was also a Literature tutor at the University of Edinburgh where he retains an involvement with the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. After graduating from Edinburgh University he moved to London for four years and then rural France for six while he developed his career as a novelist. He attended Beath High School, Cowdenbeath.

He lives in Edinburgh with his wife Miranda and their two sons Jack and Kit.