Cornell Woolrich

a.k.a. Cornell George Hopley-Woolrich, William Irish *, George Hopley *

Author Code: ACGW

Educated at Columbia University, Woolrich left school in 1926 without graduating. That year he published Cover Charge, his first of many novels. He became a regular contributor to the mystery and crime/detective magazines and produced more novels that would place him at the top of the twentieth century's crime writers. A large portion of his work was adopted for film and radio. Woolrich was a homosexual who nevertheless decided to marry in 1930. His wife, Gloria Blacton, was the daughter of a film producer, and after a few months she uncovered his secret. The marriage was finally annulled in 1933. He then moved in with his mother in New York with whom he lived until her death in 1957. Woolrich's best work was undoubtedly his crime fiction and during the 1940s was among the best of that genre. Over time Woolrich became an alcoholic and also suffered from diabetes which led to his becoming a recluse. In 1968, he lost part of his leg due to an infection that had turned into gangrene. He passed away later that year. His many works include Children of the Ritz (1927), Times Square (1929), The Bride Wore Black (1940), Phantom Lady (1942), Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1945), Waltz Into Darkness (1947), Six Nights of Mystery (1950), Hotel Room (1958) and The Dark Side of Love (1964).