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John Creasey

ジョン・クリーシー

John Creasey

Pen Names: J.J. Marric（Used for the Commander George Gideon series; author of Gideon's Fire.）, Anthony Morton（Used for The Baron series; source for TV adaptation.）, Margaret Cooke（One of the female pen names used for romance novels.）, Tex Riley（Pen name used for western fiction.）, Gordon Ashe（Used for several crime-fiction series.）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1908-09-17 （Southfields, London Borough of Wandsworth, England）
Died
1973-06-09 （New Hall, Bodenham (near Salisbury), Wiltshire, England） age 64
Nationality
English
Languages
English
Residence History
Southfields (London) → Ferndown (near Wimborne), Dorset → Bodenham (New Hall), near Salisbury, Wiltshire

Career

Occupations
Writer
Active Years
1930-1973
Affiliations
Crime Writers' Association (founder), Mystery Writers of America (member; served as president)
Memberships
Crime Writers' Association, Mystery Writers of America
Influenced
Later British crime writers influenced by his prolific series and plot-driven approach

Education

Fulham Elementary School
Country: England
Primary education in childhood
Sloane School
Country: England
Secondary education (London)

Awards

Edgar Award for Best Novel
1962
Work: Gideon's Fire (as J.J. Marric)
Organization: Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Result: 受賞
Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award
1969
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: 受賞
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Work: For services to the National Savings movement during World War II
Organization: United Kingdom
Result: 受勲

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Gideon's Fire

1961 Mystery / Crime

A Commander George Gideon novel (as J.J. Marric). Detective Gideon investigates and resolves a complex case.

Law and orderPolice workJustice

Introducing the Toff

1938 Mystery

The first appearance of The Toff (Richard Rollison), an aristocratic amateur detective; the opening volume of the series.

Class and societyWitCrime solving

Traitor's Doom

1942 Spy / Adventure

An early Dr. Stanislaus A. Palfrey (Z5) novel set during World War II; centers on a secret organisation and espionage.

Wartime conspiraciesEspionageLoyalty and betrayal

Bibliography

  • Seven Times Seven (1932)
  • Introducing the Toff (1938)
  • Gideon's Fire (1961, as J.J. Marric)

Adaptations

  • Salute the Toff (film, 1952)
  • Hammer the Toff (film, 1952)
  • Gideon's Day (film, 1958)
  • Cat & Mouse (film, 1958)
  • Gideon's Way (TV series, 1964–1965)
  • The Baron (TV series, 1965–1966)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Plot-driven concise proseContinuity of serial charactersReadable, fast-paced narratives
Recurring Motifs
Portrayals of police institutions and dutyClass and social status (The Toff)Wartime and espionage themes (Dr. Palfrey)

Legacy

John Creasey was a prolific British crime writer who published over 600 novels under some 28 pseudonyms. He founded the Crime Writers' Association in 1953 and left a significant legacy in the mystery field; several works were adapted for film and television and his papers/collection remain of interest.

Museums

  • Young Gallery (formerly John Creasey Museum) Salisbury, Wiltshire

Academic Societies

  • Crime Writers' Association

Archives

  • Young Gallery collection (John Creasey material)
  • Fleming Literary Management (rights holder/archive)

In Popular Culture

  • Known through TV series adaptations such as Gideon's Way and The Baron

Quotes

  • "He once suggested he could be shut up in a glass-box and write there a whole book."
    Source: New York Times (obituary) (1973)

Trivia

  • Wrote more than 600 novels under 28 different pseudonyms.
  • Founded the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) in 1953.
  • Awarded the MBE for services to the National Savings movement during WWII.