Dick Francis |
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Dick Francis was born in South Wales in 1920. He was a young boy rider of distinction winning awards and trophies at horse shows throughout the United Kingdom. At the outbreak of World War II he joined the Royal Air Force as a pilot, flying fighter and bomber aircraft including the Spitfire and Lancaster.
Following the war, Dick Francis, son and grandson of jockeys, became a professional steeplechase jockey himself. He was Champion Jockey in 1954 and rode for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for four years. He raced eight times in the world famous Grand National Steeplechase, nearly winning in 1956 when the Queen Mother's horse, Devon Loch, collapsed under him a few strides from victory. This incident, which he calls "both the high point and low point of my career as a jockey," was the impetus for him to begin a second career as a writer.
In January 1957 he retired from race riding and took up a pen. He became a racing feature writer for the London Sunday Express and published his racing autobiography, The Sport of Queens. Sports writing soon led to fiction writing. His first novel was published in 1962 and one followed each year until his 39th, and last, was published in September 2000.
Dick Francis was made an Officer of the most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1984, and was promoted to Commander of the Order (CBE) in June 2000. He was awarded the British Crime Writers Association Silver Dagger in 1965, Gold Dagger in 1980 and Cartier Diamond Dagger for his life's work in 1990. He is the recipient of four Edgar Allen Poe Awards from the Mystery Writers of America, including the Grand Master award in 1996. In 1998 was elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Literature.
He now lives in the Caribbean. In June 2000 he and his wife, Mary, who helped with much of the research for the books, celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. Sadly, Mary died later that year, bringing to an end one of the great literary partnerships of the twentieth century. However, a new partnership now blossoms with his younger son, Felix, who has helped with the research for Under Orders, the first Dick Francis novel for six years.
Acclaim for Dick Francis
“One of the most reliable mystery writers working today...Francis’s secret weapons are his protagonists. They are the kind of people you want for friends.”¾Detroit News and Free Press
“[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries.”—The Wall Street Journal
“A rare and magical talent…who never writes the same story twice…Few writers have maintained such a high standard of excellence for as long as Dick Francis.”¾San Diego Union-Tribune
“Francis puts real people into real situations...He appeals to our brains as well as our emotions.”¾Virginia Pilot and Ledger-Star
“After writing dozens of thrillers, Dick Francis always retains a first-novel freshness.”¾Indianapolis Star
“He writes about the basic building blocks of life¾obligation, honor, love, courage, and pleasure. Those discussions come disguised in adventure novels so gripping that they cry out to be read in one gulp¾then quickly reread to savor the details skipped in the first gallop through the pages.”¾Houston Chronicle
“Dick Francis stands head and shoulders above the rest.”¾Ottawa Citizen
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