(1890–1976). Her first manuscript, ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles', was rejected at least six times by publishers before finally getting accepted. Its publication in 1920 introduced the world to Hercule Poirot, one of the most famous of all names in detective fiction. Persistence, as well as her ingenious plots, made Agatha Christie the foremost writer of detective novels in the 20th century. (See also Detective Story.) She was born Agatha Miller on Sept. 15, 1890, in Devon, England, and educated at home by her mother. While working as a volunteer nurse during World War I, she began her first book. Major recognition came with the publication of ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' in 1926. There followed about 75 successful novels, 25 featuring Poirot. Her other famous detective, Miss Jane Marple, first appeared in ‘Murder at the Vicarage' (1930). Performance of Christie's mystery play, ‘The Mousetrap' (1952), set a world record for the longest continuous run at one theater. Among works adapted for film were ‘Witness for the Prosecution' (published 1953), ‘Murder on the Orient Express' (1934), and ‘Death on the Nile' (1937). Her 1914 marriage to Col. Archibald Christie ended in divorce in 1928. In 1930 she married archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan, whom she frequently accompanied on expeditions to the Middle East. Agatha Christie died at Wallingford in Oxfordshire on Jan. 12, 1976. |