Author of the Day: Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming was an English writer and naval intelligence officer best known for creating the James Bond character in his series of spy novels. He was born Ian Fleming, on May 28th, 1908 in London, England's wealthy Mayfair district, to Evelyn St Croix Rose and Valentine Fleming, a member of Parliament. Ian had an older brother Peter and two younger brothers Michael and Richard. His father died while serving during World War I. Ian attended Eton College, and then an elite military academy Sandhurst. He later worked for Reuters, and then in high finance, before becoming a spy during World War II. His experiences as a spy are believed to have helped shape his famous James Bond series of novels.

While working for British Naval Intelligence he was the assistant to Admiral John Godfrey, whom many believe to be the character 'M' in Ian's James Bond series.
Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel Casino Royale was published in 1953. He wrote the book a year earlier while on vacation at his home. His home was called Goldeneye after a military mission.
Ian Fleming married Anne Rothermere and had their first and only child Caspar in 1952.
Ian Fleming wrote the story Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to entertain his son Caspar.
Ian Fleming's second super spy novel Live and Let Die was published in 1954.
Moonraker was published in 1955 and Diamonds are Forever was published in 1956. Ian Fleming's spy novels soon became a favorite series for many readers, including United States President John F. Kennedy, and Prince Philip in England.
Ian Fleming wrote 12 James Bond novels, as well as several short stories about his famous spy.
In 1962 Dr. No was released as a movie with Sean Connery playing James Bond 007. The James Bond franchise is one of the longest running film franchises in history.
Ian Fleming wrote Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia, with Love, The Diamond Smugglers, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Thrilling Cities, You Only Live Twice, Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang, The Man with the Golden Gun, and Octopussy and the Living Daylights.
After his death, other writers continued the James Bond character.
Ian Fleming had a heart attack in 1962, the same year that Dr. No was released. He died in 1964 in Canterbury, England, never knowing how successful his James Bond character would be in future decades in movies. He was only 56 and had been a heavy smoker and drinker and had heart disease as a result.
During Ian Fleming's lifetime his novels sold more than 30 million copies. In the two years after he died that number doubled. His books have sold more than 100 million copies to date.
James Bond has been played by several actors including Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton, and Daniel Craig.
Ian Fleming Publications established the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger award in 2002 for a spy, adventure, or thriller novel originally published in the UK.