Ian Lancaster Fleming (1908-1964), the author of the James Bond 007 novels, was the grandchild of a Scottish banker and the son of a Conservative MP (Member of Parliament). His father died in the first world war. In his will, he bequeathed his property to his widow on condition she never remarries.
Ian's youth was inauspicious. He was expelled from Eton following a sexual liaison with a girl. He left Sandhurst without obtaining an officer's rank, having been caught violating the curfew. He continued his education in Kitzbuhel, Austria, in Munich and in Geneva where he studied languages. But the chain of disgruntlements continued apace. He failed in a Foreign Service exam and had to join Reuters as a news hound. There he successfully covered a spy trial in Russia (1929-32).
He then joined an English investment bank as a stockbroker and moved to live in a converted temple in Belgravia, a trendy district of London, where he entertained the members of the Le Cercle Gastronomique et des Jeux de Hasard.
In 1939, Fleming took on an assignment for The Times in Moscow - in effect a cover. He was spying for the Foreign Office and later for Naval Intelligence where he achieved the rank of Chief.
During the second world war, he worked from room number 39 in the Admiralty building in Whitehall as helper to Admiral John Godfrey. He was involved in the evacuation of Dieppe in 1940, in the smuggling of King Zog out of Albania and in setting up the Office for Special Services, the predecessor of the CIA.
As commander of the 30th Assault Unit, he infrequently operated behind the German lines, trying to secure significant documents and files from elimination. However generally, he directed the Unit's operations from London.
When the war was over, he constructed a house - Goldeneye - in Jamaica. He worked for the Kemsley group of papers and vacationed each winter in the island.
While waiting for the divorce of one of his countless paramours - the pregnant Lady Anne Rothermere - the 44 years of age Fleming wrote "Casino Royale" published in 1953. It was actually the first of 12 James Bond thrillers, translated to 11 languages and with total sales of 18 million copies. James Bond stories are currently being written by the next generation of writers.
In 1961, John F, Kennedy, the just elected president, listed a James Bond title as one of his favorite books. Many film plots were loosely based on Fleming's books and have grossed, in total, more than $1 bill. The 007 trademark was merchandised and attached to everything, from toys and games to clothes and toiletries.
But Fleming was also known for his non-fiction: books like "The Diamond Smugglers" and his "Atticus" column in The Sun. Times where he served as foreign boss (1945-9). He successfully branched into children's literature with "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (1964), also made into a movie.
Ironically, his mummy died and left him a fortune in 1964 - when Fleming was already wealthy and dying. The trip to her service may have done him in. His son committed suicide in 1975 and his wife died in 1981. He left at the back one heir: James Bond.
Ian's youth was inauspicious. He was expelled from Eton following a sexual liaison with a girl. He left Sandhurst without obtaining an officer's rank, having been caught violating the curfew. He continued his education in Kitzbuhel, Austria, in Munich and in Geneva where he studied languages. But the chain of disgruntlements continued apace. He failed in a Foreign Service exam and had to join Reuters as a news hound. There he successfully covered a spy trial in Russia (1929-32).
He then joined an English investment bank as a stockbroker and moved to live in a converted temple in Belgravia, a trendy district of London, where he entertained the members of the Le Cercle Gastronomique et des Jeux de Hasard.
In 1939, Fleming took on an assignment for The Times in Moscow - in effect a cover. He was spying for the Foreign Office and later for Naval Intelligence where he achieved the rank of Chief.
During the second world war, he worked from room number 39 in the Admiralty building in Whitehall as helper to Admiral John Godfrey. He was involved in the evacuation of Dieppe in 1940, in the smuggling of King Zog out of Albania and in setting up the Office for Special Services, the predecessor of the CIA.
As commander of the 30th Assault Unit, he infrequently operated behind the German lines, trying to secure significant documents and files from elimination. However generally, he directed the Unit's operations from London.
When the war was over, he constructed a house - Goldeneye - in Jamaica. He worked for the Kemsley group of papers and vacationed each winter in the island.
While waiting for the divorce of one of his countless paramours - the pregnant Lady Anne Rothermere - the 44 years of age Fleming wrote "Casino Royale" published in 1953. It was actually the first of 12 James Bond thrillers, translated to 11 languages and with total sales of 18 million copies. James Bond stories are currently being written by the next generation of writers.
In 1961, John F, Kennedy, the just elected president, listed a James Bond title as one of his favorite books. Many film plots were loosely based on Fleming's books and have grossed, in total, more than $1 bill. The 007 trademark was merchandised and attached to everything, from toys and games to clothes and toiletries.
But Fleming was also known for his non-fiction: books like "The Diamond Smugglers" and his "Atticus" column in The Sun. Times where he served as foreign boss (1945-9). He successfully branched into children's literature with "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (1964), also made into a movie.
Ironically, his mummy died and left him a fortune in 1964 - when Fleming was already wealthy and dying. The trip to her service may have done him in. His son committed suicide in 1975 and his wife died in 1981. He left at the back one heir: James Bond.
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