Trivia

Became a writer after the US government would not give him a work permit.

Was adopted in infancy by the Wiggins family. In his adulthood, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name: Cornwell.

Educated at London University and now lives in Chatham, Massachusetts. Also wrote under the name of Susannah Kells.

A character named Rifleman Matthew Dodd appears in several of Bernard Cornwell's early (chronologically) Sharpe's novels, set during the Peninsular War. This is a passing nod to author C.S. Forester who wrote a novel featuring a British rifleman named Dodd, titled "Death to the French" (aka: "Rifleman Dodd"). Cornwell himself has said that his character is meant to be the same person as Forester's character.

Announced that 'Sharpe's Peril' will begin filming in India in March 2008. The film, which stars Sean Bean, is an original story not based on one of Cornwell's novels. (January 2008)