- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRobert Bruce Montgomery
- Bruce Montgomery was born on October 2, 1921 in Chesham Bois, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. He was a composer and writer, known for Roommates (1961), Checkpoint (1956) and Eyewitness (1956). He was married to Ann. He died on September 15, 1978 in West Hampstead, London, England, UK.
- SpouseAnn(1976 - September 15, 1978) (his death)
- Under the pseudonym Edmund Crispin, he wrote a series of mystery novels and short stories featuring the character Gervase Fen.
- Also as Edmund Crispin, he edited several collections of science fiction short stories. The first, "Best SF" (1955), had great influence on acceptance of the SF genre as serious writing in Britain.
- His Gervase Fen novel "Frequent Hearses" takes place in and around a British movie studio, and contains many insider jokes about actors, directors, musicians, and others in the business.
- The ending of Strangers on a Train (1951) which features a carousel spinning out of control was taken from his book The Moving Toyshop (1946), writing as Edmund Crispin. Sir Alfred Hitchcock purchased partial rights in order to use the idea.
- He was a hopeless alcoholic. Towards the end of his career this condition prevented him from finishing scores, thus work became more difficult to find. Studied with author Kingsley Amis, who remained his closest friend.
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