Dashiell Hammett

Date of Birth: May 27, 1894

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: January 10, 1961

Biography

Samuel Dashiell Hammett was an American author of hard-boiled detective novels and short stories, born on May 27, 1894, in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Hammett is widely regarded as one of the greatest mystery writers of all time. He is best known for his iconic characters such as Sam Spade from “The Maltese Falcon” and the Continental Op from “Red Harvest” and “The Dain Curse.” Hammett left school at the age of 13 and worked various jobs before joining the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. His experiences as a private detective greatly influenced his writing. During World War I, he served in the United States Army, but he contracted Spanish flu, which resulted in lifelong health issues. Hammett’s first novel, “Red Harvest,” was published in 1929. He went on to write several more novels, including “The Maltese Falcon” (1930) and “The Thin Man” (1934). His work was characterized by its gritty realism, complex characters, and intricate plots. In addition to his writing career, Hammett was also a political activist. He joined the Communist Party USA and was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, which severely impacted his career. Hammett spent the later years of his life in relative obscurity and poverty. Dashiell Hammett passed away on January 10, 1961, in New York City.

5 Interesting Facts about Dashiell Hammett

1. Hammett served as a sergeant in the United States Army during both World War I and World War II.

2. “The Maltese Falcon” has been adapted into three different films, with the 1941 version starring Humphrey Bogart being the most famous.

3. Hammett was once romantically involved with playwright Lillian Hellman, and their relationship lasted for over 30 years.

4. He was a member of the Communist Party USA and was jailed for refusing to testify in the 1951 trial of four Communist Party leaders.

5. Hammett’s writing style and characters have had a lasting influence on the detective genre, inspiring countless authors and filmmakers.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dashiell Hammett

1. “The problem with putting two and two together is that sometimes you get four, and sometimes you get twenty-two.”

2. “I haven’t any sort of plans for the future but I reckon things will work out in some manner.”

3. “People always say things like, ‘Oh, you can’t do that in books,’ but I think you can do anything in books.”

4. “I distrust a man that says when. If he’s got to be careful not to drink too much, it’s because he’s not to be trusted when he does.”

5. “It’s the stuff dreams are made of.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Dashiell Hammett’s highest net worth is difficult to pinpoint accurately, but at the peak of his career in the 1930s, he was earning a substantial income from his novels and their adaptations. However, his net worth declined significantly due to legal issues, health problems, and political blacklisting.

Children

Dashiell Hammett had two daughters with his wife, Josephine Dolan. Their names are Mary Jane Hammett (born 1921) and Josephine Hammett Marshall (born 1926).