Raymond Chandler - (1888-1959)
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San Pedro High School in San Pedro, California
Raymond Chandler was born in Chicago on July 23, 1888. In 1895 his parents got divorced and he moved to London where he worked in Admiralty. In 1908, Chandler published his first poem, "The Unknown Love." He then returned to America, eventually moving to Los Angeles, California in 1912. In August of 1917 he enlisted in the Canadian army. In 1918 he is the sole surviver in his company after bombardment. In 1924 Chandler's mother dies and he moved to South Highland Avenue in Los Angeles. From 1933 to 1939, he published 11 works in Black Mask. Chandler then began his run of novels with the publication of The Big Sleep in 1939.
I. Biography
Chandler lived in London from age seven with his mother. He entered Dulwich College in the fall of 1900 and left in 1905 to travel to Paris in order to study French. Later he moved to Germany to continue language studies. He then tried to work as a reporter with the Daily Express where he was fired. Afterwards he contributed poems to the Westminster Gazette, and in 1911 essays to The Academy. He was noted for disliking extravagant heroes in literature and showed this in certain works such as "Remarkable Hero." He was then discharged from the Canadian army in Febuary of 1919 and begins an affair with Cissy Pascal. She divorces her husband and marries Chandler in 1924. They were together until her death in Dec. 1954.
II. Literary Works
The Big Sleep - is Chandler's first novel. It is the first of a series of mystery novels with Detective Philip Marlowe as the main character. This novel is a great mystery story that underlines the manner of powerful people in a rapidly growing Los Angeles during the early 1940's. Philip Marlowe is the cool cop detective hired to reach the bottom of a tangled weave of murder, blackmail, and deception. It really is an entertaining book that will be hard to put down.
The Long Goodbye - This book won the 1954 Edgar Allan Poe Award. It was made into a film in 1953. This was a popular detective story made with Chandlers' special touch.
Farewell, My Lovely - This novel is a good romance story. It was also made into a film in 1944 and 1975.
III. Los Angeles, California and R. Chandler
Chandler was a traveler. He has lived in England, St. Louis, and of course has spent many years in Los Angeles. He moved all around Southern California. He names many locations in his novel. Here are some just to name a few, from The Big Sleep.
Laurel Canyon Boulevard - leads into Laverne Terrace. This is Geiger's house, where his body was found.
Las Palmas - This is the location of Geiger's store. Here he ran his dirty-book and blackmailing racket. It is an older part of Los Angeles located near the Griffith Observatory.
Alta Brea Crescent - This is the location of the beautiful Sternwood mansion. It is still a beautiful place to visit with many large and expensive homes.
Randall Place - This is the apartment Joe Brody lived at, where Mr. Marlowe was interviewing him.
Cypress Club - This is where Mr. Eddie Mars ran his ritzy gambling casino. The Cypress Club still exists.
IV. Literary Works
The Big Sleep (1939)
Farewell, My Lovely (1940)
The High Window (1942)
The Lady in the Lake (1943)
The Little Sister (1949)
The Simple Act of Murder (1950)
The Long Goodbye (1953)
Playback (1958)
V. Sources
Chandler, Raymond. The Big Sleep
. Vintage Books: New York, 1976.
This essay was submitted by a student of Grant Farley, a teacher at San Pedro High School in San Pedro California.