About
Raymond Chandler was an American writer, a major figure of hard-boiled crime fiction. Born in Chicago, he spent his childhood in England and was educated at Dulwich College. After World War I, he worked as an executive in an oil company in Los Angeles before turning to writing at age 45. He created the private detective Philip Marlowe, hero of seven novels, including The Big Sleep (1939) and Farewell, My Lovely (1940). As a screenwriter in Hollywood, he co-wrote Double Indemnity (1944) and The Blue Dahlia (1946). His style, blending cynicism and lyricism, deeply influenced the genre.
* 1888-07-23 — † 1959-03-26
Major works
- The Big Sleep (1939)novel
- Farewell, My Lovely (1940)novel
- The High Window (1942)novel
- The Lady in the Lake (1943)novel
- The Long Goodbye (1953)novel
Key milestones
- 1933Publication of his first short story, 'Blackmailers Don't Shoot', in Black Mask magazine.
- 1944Co-wrote the screenplay for Double Indemnity with Billy Wilder.
- 1955Received the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America.
Themes
Corruption and crime in American soThe private detective as a modern kThe city of Los Angeles and its atmAlienation and lonelinessCynicism and irony
Sources: britannica.com · catdir.loc.gov
