Dashiell Hammett

Samuel Dashiell Hammett (May 27, 1894–January 10, 1961) was an American author of hardboiled detective novels and short stories. Among the enduring characters he created are Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon), Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man), and the Continental Op (Red Harvest, The Dain Curse). In addition to the significant influence his novels had on film, Hammett has been credited with the invention of modern American hardboiled detective novel.