Chandler, Raymond Thornton

views updated May 23 2018

Chandler, Raymond Thornton (1888–1959) US crime writer. After a career in journalism and business, Chandler turned to writing detective fiction. Many of his novels featuring tough private eye Philip Marlowe, such as The Big Sleep (1939), Farewell, My Lovely (1940) and The Long Goodbye (1953), have been made into successful films. His crackling dialogue and seedy plots are distinctive and much copied.

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