Raymond Thornton Chandler (1888-1959) published his first novel, The Big Sleep, to great success in 1939 and began writing screenplays in 1944. The collection consists of correspondence, books, photographs, speeches, and literary manuscripts by Raymond Chandler.

Born Raymond Thornton Chandler in Chicago on July 23, 1888; studied at Dulwich College, London, and privately in France and Germany; began career as contributor of verse, essays, book reviews and special articles to daily and weekly papers in London, 1909; served with Canadian Expeditionary Force and R.A.F. during World War I; afterwards, returned to U.S. to become an officer in various independent oil corporations; began writing fiction contributions to magazines in 1933; published his first novel, The Big Sleep, to great success in 1939, followed by Farewell, My Lovely (1940), The Long Good-Bye (1954) and others; began writing and mostly co-writing screenplays in 1944; his best known screenplay is Double Indemnity, based on James Cain's novel; died in La Jolla, California, March 26, 1959.

6.5 linear feet (13 boxes and 1 oversize box)

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