Date of Birth: August 26, 1884
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: April 5, 1933
Biography
Earl Derr Biggers was an American novelist and playwright best known for his detective novels featuring the Chinese-American detective Charlie Chan. Born in Warren, Ohio, Biggers attended Harvard University, where he graduated in 1907. He initially pursued a career in journalism, working for several newspapers before turning his attention to fiction writing. Biggers’ first novel, “Seven Keys to Baldpate,” published in 1913, was a significant success and was adapted into several films and stage plays. However, it was his creation of Charlie Chan in “The House Without a Key” (1925) that cemented his legacy in the literary world. The character of Charlie Chan was groundbreaking, providing a positive and intelligent portrayal of a Chinese-American detective at a time when racial stereotypes were prevalent. Biggers wrote six Charlie Chan novels, which were later adapted into numerous films and television series, making the character a cultural icon. His work was characterized by its clever plotting, engaging characters, and the infusion of humor and humanity into the mystery genre.
5 Interesting Facts about Earl Derr Biggers
1. Earl Derr Biggers’ creation, Charlie Chan, was inspired by a real-life Hawaiian police officer named Chang Apana.
2. “The House Without a Key,” the first Charlie Chan novel, was set in Hawaii, a place Biggers visited and fell in love with.
3. Biggers’ novel “Seven Keys to Baldpate” was not only a best-seller but also adapted into multiple films, stage plays, and even a radio series.
4. Despite the success of his Charlie Chan novels, Biggers wrote only six books in the series before his untimely death.
5. Biggers’ works were translated into several languages, reflecting his international popularity.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Earl Derr Biggers
1. “Only very brave mouse makes nest in cat’s ear.”
2. “Mind, like parachute, only function when open.”
3. “Every man must wear out at least one pair of fool’s shoes.”
4. “Words are the most powerful weapon used by mankind.”
5. “Optimist only sees doughnut. Pessimist sees hole.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Earl Derr Biggers’ net worth was estimated to be around $500,000, a significant sum for the early 20th century.
Children
Earl Derr Biggers and his wife Eleanor Ladd Biggers did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Earl Derr Biggers – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Derr_Biggers
2. [Charlie Chan – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Chan
4. [The House Without a Key – Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11771
5. [Seven Keys to Baldpate – Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/sevenkeystobald00bigg
