P.D. James is a name that needs no introduction in the literary world. Considered one of the greatest crime writers of all time, James’ works have enthralled readers for decades. But what many people may not know is that before becoming a celebrated author, James had a completely different career – as an inspector in the criminal division of the British Civil Service. This journey from inspector to writer is a remarkable one, and serves as a testament to the power of determination and following one’s passion.
James was born Phyllis Dorothy James on August 3, 1920, in Oxford, England. Her love for detective fiction started early, as she was an avid reader of authors like Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Arthur Conan Doyle. However, her family’s financial circumstances did not allow her to pursue a formal education, and at the age of 16, she had to drop out of school and start working as a clerk. But that did not stop her from educating herself – she took evening classes, read voraciously, and even taught herself shorthand and typing.
In 1941, James joined the British Civil Service and worked as a clerk and an assistant in various government departments. But it was in 1949 that she got her big break – she was appointed to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Department of Home Affairs. This was the beginning of her career as a police officer, and her experience in the CID would go on to shape her future as a writer.
Throughout her career in the police force, James dealt with many difficult and intense cases, including murders and suicides. She rose through the ranks and became a senior administrator in the police department. Her years in the police force gave her first-hand knowledge of the criminal justice system, and she used this in her writing, bringing a level of authenticity to her crime novels that readers found captivating.
It wasn’t until the age of 40 that James decided to pursue her dream of writing. She was a single mother with two daughters and a full-time job, but she didn’t let that stop her. She would wake up at 5am every day to write before going to work. It took her five years to complete her first novel, Cover Her Face, which was published in 1962. The book received widespread praise and was an instant hit, launching James’ career as a writer.
Over the next five decades, James wrote 20 novels, including the highly acclaimed Adam Dalgliesh series, which featured a detective who shared many traits with James herself. Her novels were known for their complex and intriguing plots, well-developed characters, and attention to detail. She also wrote several non-fiction books, including an autobiography titled Time to Be in Earnest.
Throughout her career, James received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to the crime fiction genre. She was awarded the Grand Master Award by the Mystery Writers of America in 1999 and was made a life peer in the House of Lords in 1991, taking the title Baroness James of Holland Park. Even in her 80s, she continued to write, and her last novel, Death Comes to Pemberley, was published in 2011.
P.D. James’ journey from a police officer to a bestselling crime writer is nothing short of inspirational. Her passion for writing and her determination to follow her dreams, despite the challenges she faced, is a testament to her strength of character. Through her work, she showed the world the power of imagination and the importance of always pursuing one’s passions, no matter what obstacles may stand in the way.