Philip Kerr (born 22 February 1956) is a British author of both adult fiction and non-fiction, most notably the Bernie Gunther series of thrillers set during the Weimar Republic, World War II and the Cold War. He has also written children's books under the name P.B. Kerr, including the Children of the Lamp series.
Born in Edinburgh, Kerr was educated there and at a grammar school in Northampton. He studied law at the University of Birmingham from 1974 to 1980, achieving a master's degree. Kerr worked as an advertising copywriter for Saatchi and Saatchi before becoming a full-time writer in 1989. He has written for the Sunday Times, the Evening Standard and the New Statesman.
Kerr is married to fellow novelist, Jane Thynne. They live in Wimbledon, London, and have three children: William, Charlie and Naomi.