Chandler, Raymond (1888-1959)

American mystery and crime fiction writer, born in Chicago. He is best known for the creation of a character named Phillip Marlowe, a tough but honest private detective, whose no-nonsense attitudes are often at odds with the brutal, seamy, pseudo-sophisticated Los Angeles surroundings in which he works. Chandler's work, noted for its realism, regionalism, and careful craftsmanship, includes the novels The Big Sleep (1939) and The Long Goodbye (1953) and film scripts such as Double Indemnity (1944) and Strangers on a Train (1951).