Robert Salvatore was born in Leominster, Massachusetts. A graduate of Leominster High School, Salvatore has credited his high school English teacher with being instrumental in his development as a writer. During his time at Fitchburg State College, he became interested in fantasy after reading J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, given to him as a Christmas gift. Before taking up writing full time he worked as a bouncer.
In 1982 he started writing more seriously, developing a manuscript he titled Echoes of the Fourth Magic. He went on to publish several series of books in the Forgotten Realms campaign world, while lately his popularity surged due to his Demon Wars sagas and his two Star Wars books.