Ian Fleming of James Bond Fame

Posted by Tel Asiado May 28, 2008

Great thinkers Datebook: May 28

Ian L. Fleming (May 28, 1908 - August 12, 1964), British author, novelist and film writer who created James Bond 007, is born May 28, in London. Initially, Fleming wanted to be a diplomat, but failed the test for Foreign Office, so he decided to pursue journalism instead.

He worked for the Reuters News Service in major cities including London, Moscow, and Berlin. He then served as assistant to the British director of naval intelligence during the Second World War. After the war, he bought a house in jamaica, spent his life there for a while, including bird watching and fishing. He also gambled to complete the picture. After he got bored, he began writing a novel about a secret agent...

No, it's not Dr. No as many think, but actually Casino Royale, which was his first James Bond novel. This was in 1953. Fleming followed this with four more but wasn't that successful. Becoming more disappointed, he decided to write the book specifically for the movies. He added more trimmings like beautiful women galore, and all the exotic places, and more excitement more the moviegoer.

The novel From Russia, with Love, in 1957, finally did it by becoming a huge international blockbuster, a best seller of all time. The rest is history for many more James Bond novels and films. Famous James Bond stars were Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan.