Colin Dexter

Born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, crime novelist Colin Dexter was raised by his parents Alfred, a mechanic, and Dorothy. Upon leaving school Dexter enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals, in order to complete his national service. Following his service Dexter completed a course of study at Christ's College in Cambridge, completing a master's degree in 1958. Dexter began a career teaching the Classics in grammar school in 1954, but was forced to leave the field in 1966 due to the effects of the onset of deafness. No longer a teacher, Dexter began to work as the senior assistant secretary at the University of Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations, a job he held for 22 years. During a family vacation to North Wales with his wife and two children, Dexter wrote the first paragraphs of what would become a detective novel. The book Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975 and introduced the character of Inspector Morse. Morse, who enjoyed many of Dexter's own enthusiasms, including crossword puzzles and cask ale, appeared in thirteen novels. Dexter's character was so popular that ITV developed the series "Inspector Morse" (ITV 1987-2000), starring John Thaw as the title character.