Eric Ambler

Eric Ambler, 1909–98, English novelist. An advertising executive, he turned exclusively to writing after his realistic and innovative suspense novels became popular. Ambler has often been called the first thriller writer whose work succeeded as literature. His heroes are usually ordinary men who become accidentally or innocently involved in international intrigues. Several of his novels ...

Eric Ambler, 1909–98, English novelist. An advertising executive, he turned exclusively to writing after his realistic and innovative suspense novels became popular. Ambler has often been called the first thriller writer whose work succeeded as literature. His heroes are usually ordinary men who become accidentally or innocently involved in international intrigues. Several of his novels were made into films, e.g., A Coffin for Dimitrios (1939, film 1944), Journey into Fear (1940, film 1942), and Topkapi (1962, film 1964). Among his other thrillers are Passage of Arms (1959), To Catch a Spy (1964), Doctor Frigo (1974), and The Care of Time (1981). Ambler also wrote screenplays, including those for The Cruel Sea (1953) and The Guns of Navarone (1961).

See his autobiography, Here Lies (1985).