Earl Derr Biggers

Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933) was an American novelist and playwright best known for creating the iconic Chinese-Hawaiian detective Charlie Chan. Born in Warren, Ohio, Biggers graduated from Harvard University in 1907 and began his career as a journalist and theatre critic. His writing soon transitioned to fiction, where he found success with the publication of several novels and plays. Biggers' most enduring legacy lies in his series of six Charlie Chan mysteries, beginning with The House...See more

Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933) was an American novelist and playwright best known for creating the iconic Chinese-Hawaiian detective Charlie Chan. Born in Warren, Ohio, Biggers graduated from Harvard University in 1907 and began his career as a journalist and theatre critic. His writing soon transitioned to fiction, where he found success with the publication of several novels and plays. Biggers' most enduring legacy lies in his series of six Charlie Chan mysteries, beginning with The House Without a Key in 1925. These novels, set in exotic locales and featuring the wise and unflappable detective, gained widespread popularity and were adapted into numerous films, establishing Chan as a beloved figure in detective fiction. Biggers' work is celebrated for its engaging plots, memorable characters, and its contribution to the genre of mystery literature. He died in 1933 at the age of only 48, but his creation of Charlie Chan remains a significant cultural touchstone. See less