1888-1959. US crime writer, who created the
hard-boiled private eye Philip Marlowe in
books that include The Big Sleep 1939,
Farewell, My Lovely 1940, and The Long
Goodbye 1954. Born in Chicago, he was
educated at Dulwich College public school in
London, England. Many of his books have been
made into popular Hollywood films. He also
wrote numerous screenplays, notably Double
Indemnity 1944 and Strangers on a Train 1951.