Sayers, Dorothy L. (1893-1957), an English author, was one of the most famous writers of detective stories of the 1900’s. Her best-known works feature Lord Peter Wimsey, a sophisticated, scholarly amateur detective.
Dorothy Leigh Sayers was born on June 13, 1893, in Oxford. She graduated from Oxford University. Her Wimsey stories, which reflect her background, involve well-bred characters who have graceful manners.
The most popular of the 11 Wimsey novels that Sayers completed include Whose Body? (1923), Sayers’ first book; Strong Poison (1930); Murder Must Advertise (1933); The Nine Tailors (1934); and Gaudy Night (1935). A collection of all the Wimsey short stories appeared as Lord Peter (1972).
In 1937, Sayers abandoned detective fiction and turned to religious works. In Mind of the Maker (1941), she compared God and people as creative beings. From 1949 until her death on Dec. 17, 1957, Sayers worked on translations of Dante’s Divine Comedy.
