Stephen King's middle name is Edwin, making his full name Stephen Edwin King. This verified detail is consistent across authoritative bibliographic records and public biographical sources covering the prolific American novelist. Below are structured reference details, source notes, and related context to clarify the name and its documentation.
Full Name and Biographical Context
Stephen Edwin King was born on September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine. His complete legal name is consistently cited as Stephen Edwin King in official records, library catalogs, and prominent biographical references. He is widely recognized for shaping modern horror and suspense fiction through novels such as Carrie and The Shining. His middle name, Edwin, originates from family tradition and appears in early documentation of his birth registration.
Name Verification and Notable Details
Authors, libraries, and reference databases treat Stephen King's full name as a stable, low-dispute identifier for his works and public profile. Over decades, no credible correction or alternate middle name has emerged in authoritative sources. This consistency supports the reliability of using his complete name when citing bibliographic data, rights records, and public archives.
Author Name Usage in Publications
In bylines, dedications, and title pages, King typically presents as Stephen King, omitting the middle name in everyday usage. However, formal contexts—such as ISBN metadata, library authority records, and legal documents—retain the full form Stephen Edwin King. The table below summarizes core attributes and their verified status.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen Edwin King | Authoritative bibliographic and biographical records |
| Middle Name | Edwin | Birth registration, library authority files |
| Common Public Presentation | Stephen King | Book covers, marketing, public communications |
| Primary Occupation | Author | Professional profiles, publisher data |
| Notable Works | The Shining, Carrie, It, The Stand | Publisher catalogs, ISBN databases |
| Date of Birth | September 21, 1947 | Biographical references and public records |
Bibliographic Name Standards
Libraries, metadata repositories, and citation styles treat the full name Stephen Edwin King as the authorized form for authority control. This practice ensures consistent indexing across catalogs, reduces ambiguity in linked data, and aligns with library naming conventions. Public-facing materials often shorten to Stephen King without implying any inaccuracy in the complete form.
Origin of the Middle Name
King's middle name, Edwin, reflects family tradition and appears in his original birth documentation. Multiple biographical summaries note that his parents chose Edwin as a middle name, drawing from family history. This detail has remained stable and is not subject to revision in reputable sources.
Name Consistency in Databases
ISBN agencies, national libraries, and global cataloging systems consistently list Stephen Edwin King under that authorized form. When records are merged or deduplicated, the full name functions as the stable identifier. The consistency across these systems reinforces confidence in the documented full name.
Public Recognition and Name Usage
In media appearances, interviews, and public events, Stephen King generally goes by Stephen King. The omission of Edwin in daily usage does not reflect an error; it represents a common pattern where authors are known by a simplified public name. Official documents, however, continue to reference the complete name when precision is required.
Summary of Verified Facts
Stephen King's middle name is Edwin, yielding the full name Stephen Edwin King. This detail is confirmed by library authority records, bibliographic databases, and biographical sources. Understanding the distinction between his formal name and common usage supports accurate citation, metadata handling, and clear communication about the author.
Quick Comparison: Formal vs. Public Name Use
- Formal, legal, and bibliographic contexts: Stephen Edwin King
- Everyday public and media contexts: Stephen King
- Middle name origin: Family tradition
- Consistency across authoritative sources: High
- Common works associated: The Shining, Carrie, It, The Stand, Misery
References and Further Reading
Refer to library authority files, ISBN metadata, and reputable biographical sources for confirmation of Stephen Edwin King. These systems treat the full name as the authoritative form, ensuring continuity in records and accurate attribution of his extensive published works.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Stephen King's middle name?Answer: Edwin.
- Is Stephen Edwin King his legal name?Yes, Stephen Edwin King is his legal, full name.
- Why is he commonly called Stephen King?He is commonly called Stephen King in public and media contexts, following common author name conventions.
- Where is his middle name documented?It appears in birth registration, library authority records, and bibliographic databases.
- Are there any alternate middle names reported?No credible sources report alternate middle names; Edwin is consistently cited.
Stephen King's middle name, Edwin, is a verified component of his full name used in formal and bibliographic contexts. The continued consistency across authoritative sources reinforces its reliability as a factual detail.
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