Born in 1956 in Antwerp (Belgium), Dirk Collier’s passion for Asian culture and history was aroused as a result of his travels throughout the continent, predominantly in China and India.

In 2011, he published The Emperor’s Writings, a historical novel on the life and times of Akbar the Great (1542–1605) and in 2013 came his book Paths to Peace: Religion, Ethics and Tolerance in a Globalizing World, with a Foreword by H. E. Herman Van Rompuy, honorary president of the European Council. He has also written articles for various journals and occasionally lectures at universities and cultural institutions.

Professionally, he is a lawyer and a businessman and serves on the board of several organizations.