John Mortimer (1923-2009) was an English author, screenwriter, and barrister, best known for his character Horace Rumpole, which he based on his father. Mortimer got his start as a writer working for the Crown Film Unit making propaganda, this experience would be the basis for his first novel Charade. Though the character of Horace Rumpole was created for a BBC television show, Mortimer went on to publish a number of books and short stories featuring the character. Mortimer was designated a Commander of the British Empire in 1986 and later knighted in 1998.
