Dick Francis
Dick Francis
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Richard Stanley "Dick" Francis was born on October 31, 1920, in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: October 31, 1920
Died: February 14, 2010
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Francis was a British author of mystery novels. His writing career spanned over five decades, with his first book published in 1955.
Early Life and Background
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Dick Francis grew up on the family's farm in Pembrokeshire, Wales. He was the son of Lord Howard de Walden and Lady Diana Stanley, a member of the aristocracy. From an early age, Francis developed an interest in racing, which became a significant aspect of his life and writing.
Francis attended Wellington College before enrolling at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. After graduating from Sandhurst, he served as a cavalry officer during World War II. Following the war, Francis pursued a career in journalism, working for _The Daily Express_ newspaper. He later became the paper's racing correspondent, a position that allowed him to cover major horse racing events.
Major Accomplishments
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Francis made significant contributions to the world of mystery writing, penning over 40 novels and numerous short stories. His works often revolved around the theme of horse racing, drawing from his extensive knowledge gained through his years as a racing correspondent.
One of Francis's notable achievements was winning the _Dilys Award_ in 2006 for his contribution to the world of mystery fiction. This award recognizes authors who have made significant contributions to the genre.
Notable Works or Actions
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Francis wrote several bestselling novels, including:
Whip Hand (1982) - A novel about a racing journalist investigating a series of murders.
Bolted (1996) - A story that explores the world of horse racing through the eyes of a young jockey.
Impact and Legacy
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Dick Francis's impact on the mystery genre is undeniable. His writing style, which blended elements of detective fiction with his deep understanding of horse racing, captivated readers worldwide. Many of his novels have been adapted into films or television series, further increasing their popularity.
Francis's legacy extends beyond his literary works. He played a significant role in promoting horse racing as a sport and helped to bring it into the mainstream. His writing also highlighted issues affecting the industry, such as doping and corruption.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Dick Francis is widely quoted for his insightful commentary on the world of horse racing. His writing style and attention to detail have made him a beloved figure among readers and writers alike. His contributions to the mystery genre have left an indelible mark, inspiring countless authors to explore similar themes.
Francis's ability to craft engaging stories that combined intrigue with authenticity helped establish him as one of the most respected voices in the literary world. As his body of work continues to captivate readers, Dick Francis's legacy remains a testament to the enduring power of great storytelling and writing.
Quotes by Dick Francis
Crime to many is not crime but simply a way of life. If laws are inconvenient, ignore them, they don't apply to you.
Yet all we had was here and now, and here and now was always where the struggle toward goodness had to be fought. Toward virtue, morality, uprightness, order: call it what one liked. A long ever-recurring battle.
The only thing better than getting away with doing a crime was to get someone else convicted for having done it.
It’s difficult to say just where a marriage goes wrong, because the accepted reason often isn’t the real one.
I’d always found goodness more interesting then evil, though I was aware this wasn’t the most general view. To my mind, it took more work and more courage to be good, an opinion continually reinforced by my own shortcomings.
Life has a way of kicking one along like a football, or so I’ve found. Fate had never dealt me personally a particularly easy time, but that was OK, that was normal. Most people, it seemed to me, took their turn to be football. Most survived. Some didn’t.
I looked into his sandy brown eyes, at one with the hair. At the business- like outward presentation of the man who daily printed sneers, innuendo, distrust and spite and spoke without showing a trace of them. ‘Off the record,’ I said,‘bash his face in’.