Raymond Chandler was born on July 23, 1888, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Maurice Benjamin Chandler, an Irish Quaker civil engineer, and Florence Dart Thornton, an American of Irish and English descent. Chandler's parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised by his mother in England. At the age of twelve, he was sent to live in London with his grandmother after his mother's early death.
Chandler attended Dulwich College in London, where he excelled in languages, particularly Latin. After graduating from college, he went on to study at the University of London, where he developed a love for literature and poetry. During his early twenties, Chandler traveled to Europe and worked in the British civil service before deciding to pursue a career in writing.
Chandler started his writing career as a journalist, working for newspapers such as the Daily Express and the Bristol Gazette. He honed his skills as a writer, covering a wide range of topics and developing a keen sense of observation and storytelling. It was during this time that Chandler began to experiment with fiction writing, penning short stories and articles that would eventually lead to his iconic status as a crime novelist.
Chandler's breakthrough came with the creation of his private eye character, Phillip Marlowe. Marlowe made his debut in Chandler's first novel, "The Big Sleep," which was published in 1939. The novel was met with critical acclaim and established Chandler as a leading figure in the hardboiled crime fiction genre. Chandler went on to write several more novels featuring Marlowe, including "Farewell, My Lovely," "The Little Sister," and "The Long Goodbye," all of which solidified his reputation as a master of detective fiction.
In 1919, Chandler began a love affair with Cissy Pascal, a married woman who was eighteen years his senior. Pascal eventually left her husband, and she and Chandler married in February of 1924. The couple remained together until Chandler's death in 1959.
Raymond Chandler's contributions to the crime fiction genre have had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. His hardboiled detective novels continue to be celebrated for their gritty realism, sharp dialogue, and complex characters. Chandler's work has inspired countless writers and filmmakers, and his influence can be seen in the work of modern-day crime novelists and screenwriters.