Graham Blackburn was born and educated in London, England, then lived for several years in Cologne and Madrid before moving to New York to continue his studies at the Juilliard School. While pursuing a career as a professional musician that saw him play in numerous bands, including Van Morrison's, he built his own home--and several others--in Woodstock, NY. His first book, Illustrated Housebuilding, was published in 1974. Since then, in addition to operating a custom furnituremaking shop in California and New York, and lecturing/teaching at major craft and art schools and woodworking shows across the US, he has been a long-time columnist for Popular Woodworking and a contributing editor to Fine Woodworking. He has also served as editor-in-chief of Woodwork magazine.