Erle Stanley Gardner

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American lawyer and author

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Native name
Born	Erle Stanley Gardner (1889-07-17)July 17, 1889 Malden, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	March 11, 1970(1970-03-11) (aged 80) Temecula, California, U.S.
Resting place
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Occupation	Lawyer, author
Language
Nationality	American

Erle Stanley Gardner (July 17, 1889 – March 11, 1970) was an American lawyer and author. He is best known for creating the fictional lawyer and detective Perry Mason. Gardner's works have sold over 300 million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling authors of all time.

Early life and education

Gardner was born in Malden, Massachusetts, but his family moved to Oroville, California when he was ten years old. He attended Valparaiso University School of Law in Indiana but was expelled after only a month for fighting. Despite this setback, he continued to study law on his own and passed the California bar exam in 1911.

Legal career

Gardner began his legal career working as a typist at a law firm in Oxnard, California. He later opened his own law practice in Ventura, California. Gardner's legal career provided him with a wealth of material for his later writing. He specialized in trial law and was known for his innovative and aggressive defense strategies.

Writing career

Gardner's writing career began with short stories published in pulp magazines. His first story, "The Shrieking Skeleton," was published in 1923. He created the character of Perry Mason in 1933, and the first novel, The Case of the Velvet Claws, was published in 1933. The Perry Mason series became immensely popular and was adapted into a successful radio series, television series, and films.

In addition to the Perry Mason series, Gardner wrote under several pseudonyms, including A.A. Fair, Kyle Corning, Charles M. Green, Carleton Kendrake, Charles J. Kenny, Les Tillray, and Robert Parr. He also created other series characters such as Doug Selby, Bertha Cool, and Donald Lam.

Personal life

Gardner married Natalie Frances Talbert in 1912, and they had one daughter, Grace. The couple divorced in 1935. Gardner later married Jean Bethell, his long-time secretary, in 1968.

Death and legacy

Erle Stanley Gardner died on March 11, 1970, at his ranch in Temecula, California. He was buried in Riverside County, California. Gardner's legacy continues through the enduring popularity of the Perry Mason series and its adaptations.

Selected bibliography

• The Case of the Velvet Claws (1933)
• The Case of the Sulky Girl (1933)
• The Case of the Lucky Legs (1934)
• The Case of the Howling Dog (1934)
• The Case of the Curious Bride (1934)

See also

• Perry Mason (character)
• List of Perry Mason episodes
• List of fictional lawyers