Date of Birth: July 17, 1889
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Date of Death: March 11, 1970
Biography
Erle Stanley Gardner was a prolific American author and lawyer, best known for creating the fictional defense attorney Perry Mason. Born in Malden, Massachusetts, Gardner pursued a career in law but found his true calling as a writer. Over his lifetime, Gardner penned more than 80 Perry Mason novels, which were later adapted into a popular television series. He also wrote under several pseudonyms, creating characters like Doug Selby, Bertha Cool, and Donald Lam. Gardner’s writing was characterized by its intricate plots and legal expertise, reflecting his deep understanding of the law. His works have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, securing his legacy as one of the most successful authors of the 20th century.
5 Interesting Facts about Erle Stanley Gardner
1. Erle Stanley Gardner attended law school for only about a month before being suspended for organizing illegal boxing matches.
2. He wrote his first Perry Mason novel, “The Case of the Velvet Claws,” in 1933.
3. Gardner was also an advocate for the wrongly accused and worked on several real-life cases through his Court of Last Resort project.
4. He wrote over 150 novels and numerous short stories in his lifetime.
5. Gardner was an avid traveler and often used his travel experiences as inspiration for his stories.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Erle Stanley Gardner
1. “The law is reason, free from passion.”
2. “I write to make money, and I write to give entertainment.”
3. “A man of courage never needs weapons, but he may need bail.”
4. “The stronger the theme, the more vehemently the elements can be played against one another.”
5. “Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Erle Stanley Gardner achieved an estimated net worth of $10 million.
Children
Erle Stanley Gardner had no children.
Relevant Links
1. [Erle Stanley Gardner Biography](https://www.biography.com/writer/erle-stanley-gardner
2. [Perry Mason Series](https://www.goodreads.com/series/40375-perry-mason
3. [The Court of Last Resort](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1952/09/20/the-court-of-last-resort
4. [Gardner’s Bibliography](https://www.fantasticfiction.com/g/erle-stanley-gardner/
5. [Erle Stanley Gardner on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0306881/
