Mystery Author and Television Engineer
Remembering those we recently lost
Plant the first tree in their honor
Key moments and achievements from Alan Bradley's life.
Alan was born
· Isle of Man, United Kingdom
Birth and Childhood
Born in Toronto, Bradley was raised in the lakeside town of Cobourg by his mother after his father abandoned the family. As a sickly child, he spent significant time in darkened rooms, which led him to become an early and voracious reader. He later attended Ryerson Polytechnical Institute to study electronic engineering, laying the foundation for his first career.
Birth and Childhood
Born in Toronto, Bradley was raised in the lakeside town of Cobourg by his mother after his father abandoned the family. As a sickly child, he spent significant time in darkened rooms, which led him to become an early and voracious reader. He later attended Ryerson Polytechnical Institute to study electronic engineering, laying the foundation for his first career.
Career Move
After working as a radio and television engineer in Cobourg, Bradley moved to Saskatoon in 1969. He began a long tenure at the University of Saskatchewan, where he would eventually spend 25 years as the Director of Television Engineering. This technical role provided the administrative stability that preceded his eventual transition into full-time creative writing.
Career Move
After working as a radio and television engineer in Cobourg, Bradley moved to Saskatoon in 1969. He began a long tenure at the University of Saskatchewan, where he would eventually spend 25 years as the Director of Television Engineering. This technical role provided the administrative stability that preceded his eventual transition into full-time creative writing.
Retirement
Bradley took early retirement from his position at the University of Saskatchewan to pursue writing as a full-time vocation. This decision marked the end of his engineering career and the beginning of a decade-long period of literary development. He spent these years honing the voice and world that would later define his global success.
Retirement
Bradley took early retirement from his position at the University of Saskatchewan to pursue writing as a full-time vocation. This decision marked the end of his engineering career and the beginning of a decade-long period of literary development. He spent these years honing the voice and world that would later define his global success.
Book Publication
He co-authored Ms. Holmes of Baker Street, a controversial study suggesting that Sherlock Holmes was actually a woman. This work demonstrated his deep interest in the mystery genre and his willingness to challenge literary conventions. It served as a significant step toward his eventual creation of the Flavia de Luce series.
Book Publication
He co-authored Ms. Holmes of Baker Street, a controversial study suggesting that Sherlock Holmes was actually a woman. This work demonstrated his deep interest in the mystery genre and his willingness to challenge literary conventions. It served as a significant step toward his eventual creation of the Flavia de Luce series.
Award
Bradley won the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger Award for the first 15 pages of what would become his first novel. This prestigious honor from the literary community validated his late-life career change and secured a publishing deal. The win famously occurred just as he was entering his eighth decade of life.
Award
Bradley won the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger Award for the first 15 pages of what would become his first novel. This prestigious honor from the literary community validated his late-life career change and secured a publishing deal. The win famously occurred just as he was entering his eighth decade of life.
Book Publication
His debut novel was published when he was 70 years old, introducing the world to the young sleuth Flavia de Luce. The book became an international bestseller, selling over six million copies and being translated into 36 languages. It launched a successful series that would span more than fifteen years and multiple novels.
Book Publication
His debut novel was published when he was 70 years old, introducing the world to the young sleuth Flavia de Luce. The book became an international bestseller, selling over six million copies and being translated into 36 languages. It launched a successful series that would span more than fifteen years and multiple novels.
Book Publication
His final novel in the Flavia de Luce series, Numb Were the Beadsman's Fingers, is scheduled for publication following his death. The release will complete the literary journey of the character that defined his final decades. This posthumous work ensures his voice continues to reach readers even after his passing at age 87.
Book Publication
His final novel in the Flavia de Luce series, Numb Were the Beadsman's Fingers, is scheduled for publication following his death. The release will complete the literary journey of the character that defined his final decades. This posthumous work ensures his voice continues to reach readers even after his passing at age 87.
Alan Bradley passed away
