Sir Patrick 'Paddy' Michael Leigh Fermor DSO OBE (born 11 February 1915, London) is a British author, scholar and soldier, who played a prominent role behind the lines in the Battle of Crete during World War II. He is widely regarded as "Britain's greatest living travel writer".
His parents were Sir Lewis Leigh Fermor, a distinguished geologist, and Muriel Aeyleen (née Ambler).
Shortly after Patrick was born, his mother left to join his father in India, leaving him in England with another family. As a child, Leigh Fermor had problems with academic structure and limitations. As a result, he was sent to a school for difficult children. He was later expelled from The King's School, Canterbury when he was caught holding hands with a local greengrocer's daughter. He continued learning by reading texts on Greek, Latin, Shakespeare and History, with the intention of entering the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.