John Mortimer Dies
John Mortimer, the creator of “Rumpole of the Bailey” has died. He was 85 years old.
He was a strong opponent of censorship. The Times of London notes that he often said …”it was oddly anomalous that while murder was illegal it wasn’t a crime to write about it, whereas sex was legal but to write about it could be a crime.”
Many other news sources have covered the story, including.
- The New York Times, John Mortimer, Creator of Rumpole, Dies at 85
- The Guardian, Author and dramatist Sir John Mortimer dies
- Associated Press, British writer John Mortimer dead at 85
In addition to his books and plays, two recent biographies of Mortimer are available.
A Voyage Round John Mortimer: A Biography of the Creator of Rumpole of the Bailey
Grove, Valerie
- Hardcover: 560 pages
- Publisher: Viking Adult (May 29, 2008)
- ISBN-10: 0670018805
- ISBN-13: 978-0670018802
John Mortimer: The Secret Lives of Rumpole’s Creator
Lord, Graham
- Hardcover: $25.95; 336 pages
- Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (August 22, 2006)
- ISBN-10: 0312330820
- ISBN-13: 978-0312330828
Mortimer also published a memoir.
Clinging to the Wreckage
Mortimer, John
- Paperback: $14; 224 pages
- Publisher: Penguin, (January 1, 1984)
- ISBN-10: 0140068600
- ISBN-13: 978-0140068603