William John Burley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 August 1914 |
| Died | 15 November 2002 (aged 88)[1] |
| Education | Balliol College, Oxford |
| Occupation(s) | Author and teacher |
| Known for | Crime novels featuring Charles Wycliffe |
William John Burley (1 August 1914[2] – 15 November 2002) was a Cornish[3][4] crime writer, best known for his books featuring the detective Charles Wycliffe,[5] which became the basis of the popular television series Wycliffe, shown from 1994 to 1998.[6][7][8]
Burley was born in Falmouth, Cornwall.[9] Before he began writing he was employed in senior management at various gas companies, but after the Second World War he obtained a scholarship to study zoology at Balliol College, Oxford. After obtaining an honours degree he became a teacher. Appointed head of biology, first at Richmond & East Sheen County Grammar School in 1953,[10] then at Newquay Grammar School in 1955, he was well established as a writer by the time he retired, at the age of 60, in 1974. He died at his home in Holywell, Cornwall, on 15 November 2002.[11]
- ^ "Tales of Cornish Sleuth Found Fame". Western Morning News (Plymouth). 26 November 2002.
- ^ Kinsman, Margaret (2003). W. J. Burley (Dictionary of Literary Biography V. 276: British Mystery and Thriller Writers Since 1960). Thomson Gale. pp. 67–75. ISBN 0787660205.
- ^ "Wycliffe author's web of interest". BBC News. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Poldark Novels". Cornwall Calling. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Hooper', Brad; Bill Ott (15 April 1999). "A Hard-Boiled Gazetteer to the British Isles". Booklist. 95 (16): 1456.
- ^ Keating, H. R. F. (18 April 1998). "Agatha's Legacy Lives On". The Times.
- ^ Lawson, Mark (8 October 1997). "Inside Story: Making a Killing". The Guardian (London, England).
- ^ "I'd Love to be Wycliffe on TV Again". Western Morning News (Plymouth). 12 December 2002.
- ^ "Column 8". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 March 2009.
- ^ "History and Staff". Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ "Wycliffe Author Dies in Cornwall". BBC News. 25 November 2002. Retrieved 7 May 2011.