Date of Birth: August 3, 1920
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: November 27, 2014
Biography
Phyllis Dorothy James, known as P. D. James, was a celebrated English novelist, particularly renowned for her crime fiction series featuring the detective Adam Dalgliesh. Born on August 3, 1920, in Oxford, England, P. D. James had a career that spanned more than five decades, during which she earned a reputation as one of the most distinguished writers of the genre. Her first novel, “Cover Her Face,” was published in 1962, marking the beginning of a prolific writing career. James’s works are known for their intricate plots, psychological depth, and detailed settings. Her novels often explore themes of morality, justice, and the human condition. Besides her detective fiction, she also wrote dystopian literature, most notably “The Children of Men,” which was adapted into a critically acclaimed film. Over her lifetime, P. D. James received numerous awards and honors, including being named a Life Peer as Baroness James of Holland Park. She passed away on November 27, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of influential and beloved literature.
5 Interesting Facts about P. D. James
1. P. D. James worked in the British civil service, including the National Health Service and the Home Office, before becoming a full-time writer.
2. She was awarded the Crime Writers’ Association’s Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in 1987.
3. “The Children of Men,” one of her most famous works, was adapted into a film directed by Alfonso Cuarón in 2006.
4. P. D. James was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1983 and was later elevated to Life Peerage in 1991.
5. Despite her success as a writer, she did not publish her first novel until she was in her forties.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from P. D. James
1. “What the detective story is about is not murder but the restoration of order.”
2. “All fiction is a form of mystery, whether it is a whodunit or a novel of character.”
3. “Time didn’t heal, but it anesthetized. The human mind could find a way to live without the love it had believed essential.”
4. “We English are good at forgiving our enemies; it releases us from the obligation of liking our friends.”
5. “It was one of life’s paradoxes that in the most joyous of seasons, Christmas, people were often at their most depressed and lonely.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, P. D. James’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
P. D. James had two daughters, Claire and Jane, with her husband Ernest Connor Bantry White, who passed away in 1964.
Relevant Links
1. [P. D. James on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._D._James
2. [P. D. James – The Guardian Obituary](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/27/pd-james
3. [P. D. James – Official Website](http://www.pdjamesbooks.com/
4. [P. D. James – Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5727.P_D_James
5. [P. D. James – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0416685/
