Gordon, Richard (1921-2017), was the pen name of Gordon Stanley Ostlere, a British author who became famous for a series of comic novels he wrote about the life of a doctor. These books include Doctor in the House (1952), Doctor at Sea (1953), and Doctor at Large (1955). These and other “Doctor” books by Gordon were turned into popular films, beginning with Doctor in the House (1953). There were six film sequels as well as a television series (1970-1973). Gordon made his reputation with his early light novels, but he also wrote many serious novels, beginning with The Facemaker (1967).
Gordon was born in London on Sept. 15, 1921, and educated at Cambridge University. From 1945 to 1952, he worked as an anesthetist, an assistant editor of the British Medical Journal, a ship’s surgeon, and a medical researcher before becoming a full-time writer. He died on Aug. 11, 2017.
