RAYMOND CHANDLER

Raymond Chandler was an American novelist and screenwriter from 1933 to 1959. Chandler had a large influence on American popular literature, and was one of the founders of the hard-boiled school of detective fiction. His protagonist, Philip Marlowe is considered by many to be synonymous with "private detective". Some of his works include: The Big Sleep, Double Indemnity and The Long Goodbye. He passed away in 1959 at the age of 70.