Dennis Yates Wheatley, born on January 8, 1897, was a renowned English author, famous for his thriller and occult novels. He was born in south London to Florence Elizabeth and Albert David, who owned a prestigious wine business, making him a privileged middle-class child. Wheatley's early years were marked by a lack of interest in formal education, leading to his expulsion from Dulwich College. This, however, did not deter him from developing a keen interest in the occult and Satanism, which would later become a significant theme in his thriller novels.
Wheatley's writing career began in 1933 with the publication of his first novel, 'The Forbidden Territory', which was an immediate success. He went on to write adventure stories, often in series, covering a range of topics including the French Revolution, Satanism, World War II, and espionage. His writing style was known for its descriptive nature and his ability to introduce characters into real events and interactions with real people. For instance, in the Roger Brook series, the main character, Roger Brook, involves himself with Napoleon and Joséphine while being a spy for the Prime Minister William Pitt. Similarly, in the Gregory Sallust series, Sallust shares an evening meal with Hermann Göring.
In addition to his fiction works, Wheatley also wrote non-fiction, including accounts of the Russian Revolution and King Charles II, and his autobiography. He was considered an authority on the supernatural, satanism, the practice of exorcism, and black magic, although he was hostile to all of these. His fascination with the occult led him to join the Ghost Club during his study of the paranormal. In the 1960s, Wheatley's books were selling a million copies per year, and a few were made into films by Hammer, the most well-known being 'The Devil Rides Out'.
Wheatley's life was marked by a deep love for historical fiction and Europe, as evidenced by his extensive library, which was sold in a catalogue sale by Basil Blackwell's in the 1970s. His influence has declined over the years, partly due to difficulties in reprinting his works owing to copyright problems. However, his literary estate was acquired by media company Chorion in April 2008, ensuring that his works will continue to be read and enjoyed by future generations. Wheatley also invented a number of board games, including Invasion. He passed away on November 10, 1977, but his legacy as a prolific and influential author lives on.