Dashiell Hammett
Dashiell Hammett is a highly acclaimed American writer known for his influential hard-boiled detective fiction.
Novelist
May 27, 1894
Gemini
January 10, 1961
66
St. Mary's County, Maryland
Dashiell Hammett was a distinguished American author, screenwriter, and playwright who played a significant role in developing the hard-boiled detective novel genre. He is best known for his works “The Maltese Falcon” and “The Thin Man,” which were both adapted into successful films. Other notable works by Hammett include “Red Harvest,” “The Glass Key,” and “The Dain Curse.” His contributions to crime fiction earned him various accolades, such as the esteemed Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. Hammett served as a sergeant in the US Army during World War I and began his career as a Pinkerton Detective, which greatly impacted his writing. Additionally, he was a member of the Communist Party in the 1930s. As one of the godfathers of modern crime writing, Hammett is celebrated for his hard-boiled detective novels and short stories.