John Masters

John Masters
Born26 October 1914
Calcutta, India
Died7 May 1983(1983-05-07) (aged 68)
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
OccupationSoldier and author
NationalityBritish (Anglo-Indian)
Alma materWellington College, Berkshire

Royal Military College, Sandhurst

Staff College, Quetta
GenreHistorical fiction
Memoir
Years active1933–1983
SpouseBarbara Phoebe Masters (1910–1998)
Military career
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchIndian Army (1933–1947)
British Army (1947–1949)
Years of service1933–49
RankLieutenant Colonel
AwardsDistinguished Service Order

Lieutenant Colonel John Masters, DSO, OBE (26 October 1914 – 7 May 1983) was a British novelist and regular officer of the Indian Army.

In World War II, he served with the Chindits behind enemy lines in Burma, and became the GSO1 (chief staff officer) of the 19th Indian Infantry Division. Masters is principally known for his historical novels set in India, notably Bhowani Junction, which was turned into a successful film. He also wrote three volumes of autobiography, which were positively received by critics.