Michael Gilbert

Michael Francis Gilbert was born in Lincolnshire, England in 1912. After completing his education in Sussex, he went on to study at the University of London, where he graduated with a distinction in LLB in 1937. Gilbert was a founding member of the British Crime Writers Association and was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1988, an honor that was long overdue. In 1980, he was appointed a Commander in the Order of the British Empire by the Queen, and in 1990, he won the Life Achievement Anthony Award at the Boucheron in London.

Gilbert made his writing debut in 1947 with Close Quarters and went on to become one of the most versatile writers in British mystery novels. His works are highly regarded, and he is best remembered as a British grandmaster writer in criminal and thriller books written during the fifties through to the nineties. Gilbert's writing is known for its depth, complexity, and intelligence, and his characters are richly drawn and believable. His books have been translated into many languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.

It is important to note that there is some confusion regarding the author's biography, as there are multiple authors in the Goodreads database with the same name. However, the biography above is based on the British author Michael Francis Gilbert, who is widely recognized as one of the greatest British mystery writers of the 20th century.

In addition to his writing, Michael Gilbert was also a devoted family man. He was the father of Harriett Gilbert, a well-known broadcaster and literary critic. Despite his many accomplishments, Gilbert remained modest and dedicated to his craft until his passing in 2006. He will always be remembered as a master of the mystery genre and a true giant of British literature.