Ed McBain
Ed McBain: A Prolific Author of Crime Fiction
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Ed McBain was the pen name of American author Evan Hunter (1926-2005). He is also known as Salvatore Albert Lombino, which reflects his birth name.
Birth and Death Dates
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Evan Hunter was born on October 15, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York. He passed away on July 24, 2005, at the age of 78.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Hunter's nationality is American, and he worked primarily as a novelist and screenwriter. McBain is best known for his crime fiction novels.
Early Life and Background
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Evan Hunter grew up in an Italian-American family in Brooklyn. His early life had its challenges; the family struggled financially during the Great Depression. Despite these difficulties, Evan found solace in writing at a young age. He began writing short stories and selling them to pulp magazines while still in high school.
Major Accomplishments
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Hunter's writing career spanned over five decades. Under the McBain pseudonym, he wrote 87 novels, many of which were bestsellers. His most notable works include:
The 87th Precinct series: This collection of crime fiction novels follows the same cast of characters and explores various themes, from police corruption to personal relationships.
83rd Birthday: A standalone novel that showcases Hunter's unique storytelling style.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works and actions attributed to Ed McBain include:
Writing for television: In addition to his novels, Hunter wrote screenplays for TV shows such as _Naked City_ and _87th Precinct_.
Prolific output: Ed McBain's body of work is remarkable, with numerous novels published between the 1950s and 1990s.
Realistic portrayals of crime: His writing often focused on realistic depictions of crime and its effects on individuals and society.Impact and Legacy
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Ed McBain's impact on crime fiction is undeniable. He helped shape the genre with his unique blend of gritty realism, complex characters, and gripping plots. His work has influenced many other authors, including:
Lawrence Block: A renowned mystery writer who has cited Ed McBain as an inspiration.
* Dennis Lehane: Known for novels like _Gone, Baby, Gone_ , which have been praised for their dark, atmospheric storytelling.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Ed McBain's quotes and insights into the human condition continue to resonate with readers. His ability to craft believable characters and narratives has left a lasting impression on the crime fiction genre. Many of his quotes and passages are widely shared due to their thought-provoking nature.
In conclusion, Ed McBain was a talented author whose prolific output and commitment to realistic storytelling have cemented his place in the world of crime fiction.
Quotes by Ed McBain
I try to keep all my novels in print. Sometimes publishers don’t agree with me as to their worth.
I wanted to be an artist. I was studying art. I wanted to be a great painter. When I went into the Navy, there wasn’t much to draw at sea. So I began writing, and I began reading a lot.
I would like to win the Pulitzer Prize. I would like to win the Nobel Prize. I would like to win a Tony award for the Broadway musical I’m now working on. Aside from these, my aspirations are modest ones.
Depending on what I’m working on, I come to the writing desk with entirely different mindsets. When I change form one to the other, it’s as if another writer is on the scene.
I never take ideas from the headlines. I feel that if a story is good enough, a real story that is, then it’s already been covered by the media, and if it’s not good enough, why would I want to bother with it?
He sees death in convicted thieves, the burglars, the muggers, the con men, the pimps, a death imposed by law, the gradual death of confinement behind bars.
