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Edmund Clerihew BentleyEnglish humorist and detective writer
Date of Birth: 10.07.1875
Country:  Great Britain |
Biography of Edmund Clerihew Bentley
Early Life and Education
Edmund Clerihew Bentley was an English writer, humorist, and author of detective novels. He was born in a suburb of London and grew up in a family where his father worked as a clerk in the Lord Chancellor's Department. Bentley attended St. Paul's School, where he became close friends with G.K. Chesterton. At the age of 19, he won a grant to study history at Merton College, Oxford. During his time at Oxford, Bentley was the president of the Oxford Union and also led the university rowing team. He founded a university newspaper, which marked his first literary experience.
Early Career and Marriage
After completing his studies at Oxford, Bentley went to London to pursue a career in law and was admitted to the bar in 1902. That same year, he married Violet Boileau, with whom he had two sons. One of his sons became an engineer, while the other, Nicholas, became a renowned artist and illustrator, as well as the author of several detective novels. In 1902, Bentley became interested in journalism and worked as an editor at the Daily News for ten years. Later, he moved to the Daily Telegraph, where he wrote a column for the next twenty years.
Literary Achievements
In 1905, Bentley published a collection of humorous poems called "Biography for Beginners," which was illustrated by his friend G.K. Chesterton. He released new collections in 1929 and 1939. His detective novel, "Trent's Last Case," published in 1913, is considered one of the early examples of the classic detective genre. In 1934, Bentley retired from journalism and devoted more time to writing detective stories. He also edited and wrote the introduction for a collection of stories by Damon Runyon. In 1936, he continued his detective work with the novel "Trent's Own Case" and authored the collection of detective stories "Trent Intervenes." Bentley also wrote several humorous works.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1940, Bentley published his autobiographical book, "Those Days: An Autobiography." That same year, he returned to journalism as a literary critic for the Daily Telegraph, replacing Harold Nicolson in that position. In 1947, Bentley retired again, and two years later, his wife passed away. From then on, he led a quiet life in London, focusing on his literary pursuits. Bentley was a member of the Detection Club from its inception and served as its president from 1936 to 1949. He made significant contributions to the detective genre and left behind a lasting legacy in both literature and humor.
