# Stephen Marlowe

## Biography

Stephen Marlowe, born Milton Lesser in Brooklyn, New York, on August 7, 1928, was a prolific American author known for his versatility across numerous genres. After graduating from the College of William and Mary, he served in the U.S. Army. Marlowe initially wrote science fiction under his birth name before legally adopting "Stephen Marlowe" in the late 1950s. He gained widespread recognition for creating the globe-trotting private detective Chester Drum, featured in nearly two dozen popular mystery novels. Beyond crime fiction, Marlowe also penned acclaimed historical novels, including fictional autobiographies of figures like Christopher Columbus, Miguel de Cervantes, and Edgar Allan Poe. His extensive career saw him publish over fifty books, many translated into multiple languages, and he often blended elements of espionage with his chosen genres. Marlowe lived much of his life abroad in Europe and received a lifetime achievement award from the Private Eye Writers of America in 1997, along with France's Prix Gutenberg du Livre in 1988. He passed away in Williamsburg, Virginia, on February 22, 2008.

## Books

- [Pen Pal](https://samolit.com/books/96443)
- [The Sense of Wonder](https://samolit.com/books/96064)