Freeman, R. Austin (Richard Austin), 1862-1943

Richard Austin Freeman was born on April 11, 1862, in London, England and died Sept. 28 (or 30), 1943, in Gravesend, Kent, England. Freeman was a physician, educator, and an author and began his medical training at Middlesex Hospital at the age of eighteen. He joined a medical expedition to Ashanti and Bontuku in 1889, and served as physician, navigator, and naturalist. Nine years later, he published his expedition experiences in Travels and Life in Ashanti and Jaman (1898). Freeman then began to write mystery novels and created the character, Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke, who used scientific methods to solve crimes. Thorndyke was introduced in The Red Thumb Mark (1907). Freeman's scientific knowledge was reflected in his work, especially in The Mystery of Angelica Frood (1924) and The Shadow of the Wolf (1925). In his stories, he places primary emphasis on the means of detection rather than on the discovery of the criminal; he reveals the criminal before presenting the detective's investigation and solution. Among his other works are his first novel, Golden Pool (1905), John Thorndyke's Cases (1909), The Mystery of 31 New Inn (1912), The Penrose Mystery (1936), and Mr. Polton Explains (1940).

From the description of Correspondence, 1920-1961 (bulk 1920-1928). (Kent State University). WorldCat record id: 47733784